Gambling Related Harm APPG takes aim at daytime gambling TV sponsorships

The Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has urged ITV and Channel 5 to cease broadcasting gambling ads on daytime programmes.Writing to the directors of programming at both UK TV channels, the APPG said existing sponsorship relationships with operators should be ended “without delay” to stem a potential rise in gambling-related harm.The APPG said it was “very concerned” about the sponsorship of Aussie soap opera Neighbours, which airs on Channel 5 during the afternoon and is currently sponsored by Entain’s Gala Bingo brand.“Gambling companies are sponsoring programmes which seek to glamorise gambling with the aim of targeting women and young people and encouraging them to gamble,” the APPG wrote.“We are very concerned that television companies are promoting gambling – we have ourselves seen first-hand the harm and devastation that gambling can cause to young people’s lives, families and communities.“Ending this association is all the more important during national restrictions when children are at home and run the risk of being exposed to these adverts as well,” the APPG concluded.The APPG said the call has the support of 16 MPs and 52 experts by experience.ITV currently has a sponsorship agreement in place with UK National Lottery operator Camelot for three of ITV’s Saturday night primetime shows, including The Masked Singer, The Voice and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.Flutter Entertainment’s Paddy Power brand currently serves as the headline sponsor of ITV Racing, a relationship which began this year.In January, Gamesys Group confirmed it would once again donate its Jackpotjoy sponsorship of ITV’s Loose Women to domestic abuse prevention charity Women’s Aid for the duration of lockdown.BGC members have also pledged to dedicate 20% of advertising to responsible gambling messaging to address any concerns about a rise in problem gambling during the lockdown period.