UK MP calls for ban on gambling advertising during sports

The politician said that betting adverts should be banned from all live sports coverage.

UK.- Tory MP Richard Graham has called for a total ban on gambling advertising during sports coverage. He said that he fears that young people could be at risk because of out-of-control gambling debts. He believes that gambling adverts should be banned altogether.

“The Gambling Commission (UKGC) should consider banning gambling advertising during live sport altogether,” said Graham while speaking in the House of Commons. He added that he asks if gambling is the tobacco of this generation. “Something that once was widely advertised, then restricted, and now banned from advertising altogether,” he said.

“Is this our chance to get the balance right between funding sport, using technology, and having the right protections to prevent tragedy?” Graham added that there should be a levy on the revenue of gambling firms.

A bill called Gambling (Industry Levy Review And Protections For Vulnerable People) Bill will call for money raised to go towards research on gambling addiction, as well as other similar measures.

The MP said that it was the Parliament that “opened the door to online gambling” and said that MPs have a special responsibility to improve the situation. The bill is set to return for a second reading on May 10.