| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Wealth Warning Attached to Gambling Ads
- Wednesday, 26 Apr 2006
Smoking ads have warnings stating the harmful effects that cigarettes can have on your body. Similarly, alcoholic beverages have the same warnings. Thus it makes sense that when gambling ads are shown to the public, they too should have similar warnings regarding the potential outcome of your bank account. Sure, gambling has no where near the same health risks such as cancer, liver problems and the rest. But gambling addictions are not rare and thus should be stated in a direct manner.
Future adverts by casinos, betting shops and internet poker sites may have to carry warnings about the dangers of gambling, under rules being drawn up by the Government before the lifting of the ban on advertising in the gambling industry next year. Under last year's Gambling Act, gambling operators will be allowed to advertise in all media from September 2007. Tessa Jowell's Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Gambling Commission have recently proposed new rules for the industry to promote "socially responsible gambling".
The new code, akin to the rules surrounding advertising for alcohol, seeks to pacify critics who fear the new gambling laws will lead to a surge in gambling addiction. The Gambling Commission said it would make gambling operators subject to the same rules on advertising and would not even prevent the "hard" forms of gambling such as roulette and blackjack from being marketed. But the Commission insisted advertising must not be targeted at the under 18s or other vulnerable groups. Adverts should also feature people who are, or seem to be, over 25.
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