Enforcing gambling restrictions could reduce related harms, especially to vulnerable individuals, according to research from the University of Sheffield.
A new review of evidence that explores the relationship between advertising and gambling has revealed that exposure to betting brand advertising increases the risks of debt, relationship problems, physical and mental health problems and crime.
The University of Sheffield research team analysed eight recent reviews in this field, including data from over 70 research papers, to find evidence of a ‘dose-response effect’: “greater advertising exposure increases participation which leads to greater risk of harm.”
The report – funded by City Hall – also discovered that children, young people, and those already at risk from current gambling activity, are more likely to be influenced by gambling advertising.
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“Gambling-related harms represent a significant potential driver of health inequalities, because those already experiencing financial, social and mental health disadvantage are also at increased risk of experiencing gambling-related harm,” University of Sheffield professor of public health, Professor Elizabeth Goyder, said.
“Those already at risk of harm from their gambling have consistently been shown to be more likely to be prompted to gambling by exposure to advertising.
“The substantial evidence we found in all the recent reviews of evidence in this field supports the use of restriction to reduce exposure to gambling advertising. This is particularly likely to reduce risk of harm to children and young people and adults who are already vulnerable to gambling-related harms.
“Such restrictions could not only reduce overall harm, but also mitigate the impact of advertising on gambling related inequalities.
“Our study has shown public health harm prevention strategies should ideally include a range of policies which limit exposure to advertising, particularly among children and vulnerable groups.”
