BGC Survey Reveals Public Would Not Support Warnings on Gambling Products

Results from a new survey concluded that most British consumers think that compulsory health warnings on betting products would not effectively address harmful gambling-related issues.

This finding comes from a survey conducted by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) earlier this month. Indeed, the survey found that 71% of respondents believed warnings similar to those placed on cigarette packs would be ineffective at preventing gambling-related harm such as addiction, with only 3% saying they would be “very effective”.

Results from the same survey suggest that banning promotions such as free bets and other offers also would have little impact on restricting harm. This information comes as anti-gambling groups have been mounting increasing pressure on the BGC to enforce both measures to curb gambling-related harm.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher has said that, despite what pressure groups might believe, these measures may cause more significant harm to the consumer than reduce it. In an article published on igamingbusiness online, he explained this stance, saying:

“Problem gambling rates in the UK are low and have fallen, but still the anti-gambling lobby – prohibitionists who just want to ban things – are pushing for draconian measures which will only stigmatise those who enjoy a harmless flutter.” He continued by saying:

“Measures like these, however well-meaning, will only serve to drive punters from the regulated sector to the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market where the numbers of betting individuals have doubled in recent years and the amount staked is in the billions.”

“Anti-gambling prohibitionists are determined to treat betting like tobacco and to treat punters like smokers – but these two things are worlds apart and should be regulated entirely differently.”

The results of this study are especially important now, given that the British gambling industry is soon to be impacted by a new Gambling Act Review looking at how the betting industry is legislated. However, this act has been delayed multiple times since it was first launched in November 2020.

Thanks to the inconsistency of government and frequent leadership changes, the review has repeatedly been put to the back of the line in terms of its urgency. However, with some stability now resuming with the conservative government of Rishi Sunak, the review could be published sometime after Christmas. However, this time scale prediction is still speculative, and what effect this new survey will have on substantial changes in the law is yet to be seen