"Councils have previously called for greater restrictions on gambling advertising and we are pleased to see the steps taken by the Committees of Advertising Practice to address this."
Responding to the announcement by the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) announcing tougher standards on gambling advertising, Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
“Councils have previously called for greater restrictions on gambling advertising and we are pleased to see the steps taken by the Committees of Advertising Practice to address this. Urgent or time limited offers encouraging people to bet immediately, and misleading descriptions such as ‘risk free’, can be particularly harmful for problem gamblers, so it’s right that they should be stopped. However, there must still be consideration of whether more curbs are needed alongside this.
“The LGA has been working closely with its members to help strengthen local gambling regulation, and it’s vital that this isn’t undermined by misleading or excessive levels of gambling advertising.
“We need to ensure that people, and particularly our children and young people, are kept safe and protected from the problems gambling can cause. Problem gambling is a major concern for councils which can cause greater personal harm. It can lead to spiralling debt, deteriorating mental health and wellbeing, and a toll on society – and taxpayers - through crime and disorder, family breakdown and homelessness.”