Peers call for UK to enact tobacco

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Published: 2026-09-17T06:13:33.482Z • Permanent link

Critics of the UK government's proposed ban on most forms of gambling advertising have come out swinging, with several prominent lobby groups expressing their opposition to the measure. Lord Winston Churchill, a member of the House of Lords and a long-time advocate for responsible gaming, accused the government of "kicking the addiction habit down the road." Churchill's comments were echoed by the UK's largest gambling operator, William Hill, which warned that the ban would "cripple the industry" and lead to job losses. The proposed ban is the latest development in the ongoing debate over the regulation of the UK's £14.3 billion gambling industry, which has come under increasing pressure in recent years due to concerns over addiction and problem gambling.

A study published last month by the UK's Office for National Statistics found that there were over 600,000 people in England who were estimated to be at risk of developing a gambling disorder, with the number of problem gamblers increasing by 15% between 2019 and 2022. The study's findings were used to inform the government's decision to propose the ban, which is expected to be voted on by parliament later this year. The ban is not expected to affect online gambling, which is currently exempt from the regulations. However, the government has vowed to crack down on online operators that fail to comply with existing rules, including a requirement for operators to provide clear warnings about the risks of problem gambling.

Critics of the proposed ban argue that it would have far-reaching consequences for the industry and the economy as a whole. The UK's gambling operators generate billions of pounds in revenue each year, which is used to fund jobs, pay taxes, and support local communities. The ban could also lead to a significant increase in the number of people turning to unregulated online operators, which are often based in jurisdictions with lax regulations. The UK's National Health Service has also expressed concerns over the impact of the ban on the treatment of problem gamblers, with some arguing that the ban would make it more difficult for people to seek help.

The proposed ban on most forms of gambling advertising would have significant implications for the research community, which relies on data from the industry to inform its work. The UK's Gambling Commission has published a number of reports on the impact of problem gambling, including a study last year that found that the number of problem gamblers was increasing at a rate of 10% per annum. The ban could make it more difficult for researchers to access data from the industry, which could limit the ability of academics to study the issue and develop effective treatments. The ban could also impact the development of new treatments for problem gamblers, which rely on data from the industry to inform their design and effectiveness.

Several major companies that operate in the UK's gambling industry have expressed concerns over the proposed ban. The UK's largest online gambling operator, Bet365, has warned that the ban would lead to a significant increase in the number of people turning to unregulated online operators, which could put them at risk of problem gambling. The ban could also impact the ability of companies to develop new products and services that are designed to help problem gamblers. Companies like GambleAware, which provides support and treatment for problem gamblers, have also expressed concerns over the ban, arguing that it would make it more difficult for people to seek help.

The proposed ban on most forms of gambling advertising is the latest development in a long-standing debate over the regulation of the UK's £14.3 billion gambling industry. The industry has come under increasing pressure in recent years due to concerns over addiction and problem gambling, with several countries around the world introducing stricter regulations. The UK's gambling operators have been accused of failing to do enough to protect vulnerable customers, with some arguing that the industry's advertising practices are contributing to the problem. The ban is part of a broader trend towards greater regulation of the industry, which is also being driven by concerns over money laundering and other financial crimes.