In a landmark decision, the Guardian Media Group (GMG) announced a ban on betting advertisements across all their worldwide publications.
This bold move – a response to the addiction-inducing tactics often employed by gambling firms – signals a sea change in media ethics and is set to significantly impact both the gambling and media industries.
Gambling Advertising: An Untouched Issue
The Guardian Media Group (GMG) has made a significant stride in ethical advertising standards by pledging to ban all betting ads across their global media outlets, including The Guardian and The Observer. This move is in response to the perceived “addictive cycle” betting advertisements engender among gamblers.
The Reasons behind the Stand
Anna Bateson, Chief Executive of GMG, pinpointed the harrowing impact of the gambling industry on individuals in the UK and Australia. There’s a growing concern over the exploitative nature of gambling firms, which leverage advertising to repeatedly target and ensnare vulnerable bettors.
Great to see this leadership from the Guardian with a global ban on all gambling ads ????????https://t.co/L7KiVtCk4g
— David Pocock (@DavidPocock) June 16, 2023
Exceptions and Criticisms
The ban includes all types of betting advertisements, with the exception of lotteries. Meanwhile, Journalist Rob Davies lambasted the Government’s lacklustre reform efforts on the Gambling Act 2005, which leave gambling advertisements largely unregulated.
Subtitle: The Hidden Ruin of Gambling
Davies underscores the insidious nature of gambling addiction, which can wreak financial havoc on families unbeknownst to them. He also highlights the tragedy of Luke Ashton, who committed suicide after being targeted by betting firm Betfair during the coronavirus pandemic, raising further questions about the industry’s predatory practices.
Football and Gambling Ads
The issue of gambling advertisements in sports was also spotlighted last month. Trevor Carson, the Northern Ireland international goalkeeper, called for a ban on gambling ads in football, recounting his personal struggle with gambling addiction that once led him to squander over £30,000 in just two months.
