A recent study reveals that children in Britain are encountering fewer gambling commercials on television compared to previous years. Data indicates that from 2010 to 2023, there was a significant 40% reduction in children’s exposure to these advertisements. This shift is indicative of a broader pattern, with youngsters’ overall exposure to television advertising plummeting by a substantial 75% during the same timeframe.
This development is encouraging, as it implies that initiatives aimed at safeguarding young individuals from potentially detrimental advertising are proving effective. The Advertising Standards Authority, the regulatory body overseeing advertising in the UK, has been diligently monitoring gambling promotions, in addition to advertisements for products such as alcoholic beverages and unhealthy food.
Nevertheless, challenges persist. Contemporary children are increasingly engrossed in their mobile devices and tablets, dedicating less time to conventional television viewing. Consequently, the ASA and comparable entities face a considerable task in regulating the online realm and ensuring that children are not inundated with unsuitable advertisements within emerging digital environments.
The United Kingdom’s advertising regulatory body, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), recently sustained its judgment against Festival Free Bets. The business utilized an image of online personality Astrid Wett in one of their promotional materials, which the ASA deemed imprudent. Because Wett was younger than 25 when the advertisement was disseminated, it violated the promotional guidelines established to safeguard young individuals from gambling-related issues.
