Two Thirds Say Gambling Advertising is 'all Over ´, Charity Finds
Almost two thirds of people say that gambling marketing is "all over" as a charity called for a national discussion to help those suffering harm.
GambleAware advised individuals to "open" after a survey recommended 67% of the public believe there is still preconception around gambling damages, and cautioned that anyone might be at threat - consisting of kids.
It revealed an installation revealed at Westfield London including 85,000 poker chips - one for each child aged 11-17 in Britain currently experiencing betting damage.
A research study for the found that 31% of individuals recalled seeing their first gaming advert before the age of 17, and 62% stating that gambling marketing is "everywhere".
It's important that those experiencing betting harm know that support is available without judgment
Kathryn Townsend, Nationwide
The charity, along with partners Nationwide, the Football Supporters' Association, the National Gambling Support Network and 20 more nationwide organisations, is requiring a nationwide discussion to decrease the preconception around betting damage that is holding people back from seeking help.
Research from the charity has found that more than a quarter (28%) of those who experience issues with betting conceal their activities from their household and pals, and a quarter (24%) who are experiencing the most serious harm do not seek support due to feelings of pity or humiliation.
The project seeks to take on the preconception connected with hazardous betting (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Zoe Osmond, president of GambleAware, stated: "Now is the time to have a national discussion about betting damage. Only by motivating an open discussion can we empower individuals to seek the assistance they need without judgment.
"Our lives are swamped with gambling marketing and advertising, normalising what is a risky activity which can have a huge negative result on people's lives, even kids. This installation representing the 85,000 kids affected objectives to shine a light on this pressing problem and motivate meaningful discussion."
GambleAware is calling for stricter restrictions on gambling marketing, stating the addictive nature of gambling products and marketing combined with the ubiquity of gambling advertising meant anybody could be at risk of damage.
Gambling damage preconception can prevent individuals from opening about betting and seeking the assistance they require.
As Maia states, you do not need to manage gambling harms on your own. It can trigger further pressure on yourself and your loved ones.
Let's open about gambling. pic.twitter.com/cctwPpRBXJ
- GambleAware (@gambleawaregb) April 11, 2025
Kathryn Townsend, Nationwide's head of customer vulnerability, stated: "While betting can be a satisfying activity for lots of, extreme or problem betting can have negative effects.
"It's crucial that those experiencing betting harm understand that support is readily available without judgment, which is why we support GambleAware's continuous Stigma avoidance campaign.
"We have actually striven to much better equip our associates to support consumers and made a conscious decision to use a gambling block with a 72-hour cooling off duration to help people make decisions that are best for them.
"However, greater collaboration among industry, federal government and charities is necessary to genuinely take on monetary damage caused by extreme or issue gambling."
According to a 2024 Gambling Commission report, the most popular kinds of betting by children are legal game games like penny-pusher and claw-grab devices, bets in between buddies or family, and playing cards for money - not with BGC members
Betting and Gaming Council
Minister for betting Baroness Twycross stated: "The preconception surrounding hazardous gambling can avoid those in requirement from seeking crucial support, so we invite this important project from GambleAware.
"We have now presented a statutory levy on gambling earnings which will raise around ₤ 100 million each year to money research, prevention and treatment, additional encouraging the general public conversation around betting harm.
"While many people gamble securely, we recognise the impact harmful betting can have. That is why we are further strengthening defenses for those at threat, carrying out a stake limit on online slots and more stringent guidelines on betting marketing."
A Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) representative said: "BGC members take a no tolerance approach to betting by children.
"According to a 2024 Gambling Commission report, the most popular kinds of betting by children are legal game games like penny-pusher and claw-grab machines, bets in between good friends or household, and playing cards for money - not with BGC members.
"Advertising must abide by stringent guidelines and safer gambling messaging, which promotes safer betting tools and signposts help to those concerned about their betting, is frequently and prominently showed.
"The 2022 Youth and Gambling Survey found that the National Lottery was the most acknowledged gambling brand among 11 to 16-year-olds."
"BGC members and certified operators have voluntarily contributed over ₤ 170m over the last 4 years to tackle issue gaming and gambling related damage, by means of a voluntary levy system, including ₤ 50m in 2024, funding an independent network of charities currently taking care of 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain.
"This money is assigned separately of market, the majority of which is managed by the independent charity GambleAware."
GambleAware is urging anyone who is worried about how gambling makes them feel to browse its site for advice, tools and support.
Anyone worried about their gaming or somebody else's can call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 24/7 for complimentary, confidential advice, tools, and support.
YouGov surveyed 3,058 adults and 750 people who gamble between February 13 and 26.