The Labour Party is calling for a ban on gambling advertising taking place during live sport on TV.

The call is part of its response to a review into problem gambling and its treatment that has been undertaken over the last year.

The party would also introduce a compulsory levy on gambling operators of 1% of Gross Gambling Yield and new clinical guidelines and increased resources for the treatment of gambling addiction.

There would be rules to allow addicts to tell their bank to stop online gambling transactions and a ban on credit card betting.

Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, said:

“Problem gambling is Britain’s hidden epidemic and we must treat it as a public health emergency.

“Current gambling regulation is not up to the job of protecting addicts and those at risk of addiction. Treatment is patchy across the country and too often patients are misdiagnosed and not treated by specialists who can spot the signs of gambling addiction.

“Gambling companies have to take more responsibility for harm caused by their products and contribute more to research and treatment. We must also face up to the negative effect the explosion in gambling advertising has had and act accordingly. It’s what any responsible Government looking to address gambling addiction must do.

“The refusal of the current Government to address any of these issues is letting problem gamblers and their families down. Labour’s new policies announced today aim to build a world class framework for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.”

 

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