Members of Northern Ireland’s Stormont Assembly are calling on the UK Government to implement stricter regulations on gambling advertising within the region. The All Party Group on Reducing Harm Relating to Gambling has formally reached out to Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging immediate action to safeguard the public.
Legislative Gaps and Recent Developments
The Assembly members highlight that Northern Ireland remains the only area in the UK without updated gambling laws since the rise of the internet. They express concern over the limited time left in the current Assembly mandate to pass new legislation. In contrast, the Irish Parliament has recently enacted laws imposing strict controls on gambling marketing, including the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority with the authority to dictate when and where gambling advertisements can appear.
Appeal to the UK Government
In their correspondence, the MLAs state: “We urge you to use your existing powers under the Gambling Act 2005 to take immediate action on gambling advertising and promotion and protect people across these islands from further gambling-related harm.” They reference a joint study by Maynooth University and Ulster University, which found that young individuals across Ireland are exposed to high levels of gambling marketing through televised sports and social media.
The lawmakers emphasize that Northern Ireland’s outdated legislation leaves its population, already experiencing high levels of gambling-related harm, particularly vulnerable. They note that while gambling policy is devolved, the region lacks the legislative capacity to address these issues promptly. They also point out that remote gambling operators licensed by the Gambling Commission can freely advertise in Northern Ireland, as online and broadcast advertising is a reserved matter, leaving the population without adequate protection.
Call for Immediate Action
The MLAs urge the Secretary of State to implement restrictions similar to those in Ireland, aiming to prevent children from being exposed to gambling-related marketing during major sports events and to protect those already affected by gambling harms from targeted advertising on social media. They assert that such measures would significantly benefit Northern Ireland, Britain, and Ireland, where British television is widely viewed.
A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has indicated that they will respond to the letter from the MLAs in due course.
Source:
London urged to restrict gambling advertising in Northern Ireland – belfastlive.co.uk, November 24, 2024