Calls for Tougher Gambling Ad Rules in Northern Ireland
The all-party group (APG) on reducing gambling harm in the Northern Ireland Assembly is demanding the UK government introduces new gambling ad restrictions as current rules are outdated and not good enough.
APG Wants Change
The APG is calling for big changes to the current rules to protect vulnerable people, especially young people. They point out that Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK without gambling legislation since the internet was invented and the public is exposed to the harms of unregulated gambling advertising.
On 16 October the Republic of Ireland passed the Gambling Regulation Bill, overhauling the entire gambling industry and introducing strict ad rules. These include a ban on gambling ads on TV and radio from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and a de facto ban on gambling content on social media and ads that appeal to children.
Although they acknowledge the need for change, the Northern Ireland executive doesn’t have time to bring forward a new gambling bill in this assembly mandate. APG vice-chair Robbie Butler MLA says while local legislation is limited, the UK government has the power to make changes that would apply to Northern Ireland.
Protecting Young and Vulnerable
Butler highlighted that adopting the Republic of Ireland’s measures is key to reducing gambling harm. The new law bans the sale of branded merchandise for children and restricts such items at events where minors are likely to attend.
A cross-border study by Maynooth University and Ulster University found young people across Ireland are exposed to huge levels of gambling ads through sports programming and social media.
“The government has power under existing laws to introduce restrictions on advertising similar to those in the Republic,” Butler stated. “This would prevent our children from being bombarded with gambling-related marketing during sports broadcasts and those already experiencing gambling harm from being targeted by gambling companies on social media.”
The APG is calling for the UK government to act quickly. “Importantly, the new rules in the Republic of Ireland put the spotlight on the urgent need for the British government to act now to protect the population in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland, where gambling-related marketing has become a normal part of consuming sport,” the group added.
