Local Leaders in the UK Can Still Help Tackle Gambling Problems
Local government officials in the UK are encouraged to act on gambling policies more.
Key Facts:
- Leading members of local government institutions can have an impact on gambling habits
- Mayors are encouraged to act to help prevent gambling harms
- Sadiq Khan could do good by removing gambling ads from the Tube
- Liverpool City Council is working on a new programme to prevent gambling harms
When it comes to gambling policies in the UK, the two largest and most influential decision makers are the UKGC and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). These two organisations have the biggest impact on the British gambling industry.
There are many other organisations that don’t have the same level of influence but can still have a significant effect on gambling policies. These include the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) trade standards body, the operators of gambling venues and websites, and the suppliers of hardware and software.
Recently, there have been two cases involving local leaders and the effects they can have on gambling activity not just in their jurisdiction, but elsewhere too. These are the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, and the Liverpool City Council.
Gambling Ads on the Tube
Sadiq Khan recently hit the headlines for failing to act on a re-election promise to remove gambling ads from the Tube. Officially known as the London Underground, it handles around five million passenger journeys a day and can have up to 543 trains on its tracks at any given time.
During Khan’s 2021 re-election campaign, he said he would push for gambling adverts to be removed from the Tube. This would include advertisements for betting shops and casinos (both real-life and online). However, gambling adverts are still prevalent throughout the Tube network, four years later.
Caroline Russell, a Green Party Member of the London Assembly, accused Khan of failing to act on his promise. As reported in The Standard, the Mayor of London is waiting for more details about the government’s plans for gambling advertising before doing anything.
In April 2023, the Gambling Act Review white paper was published. It promised to overhaul gambling regulation in the UK and lead the country’s gambling industry in a new direction. Keir Starmer’s Labour government is apparently keen to give the review’s recommendations more time to take effect.
It’s thought that printed gambling adverts on the Tube aren’t as effective as digital adverts people see online. However, physical ads can still have an impact and persuade people to start gambling. Removing them should, therefore, cause a reduction in gambling problems, even if it is only slight.
Liverpool City Council Works with a Local University
Liverpool City Council is working with Liverpool John Moores University on a multi-sector initiative focused on preventing gambling harms. Its aim is to use evidence to come up with an effective plan of action to tackle gambling problems. It also plans to run workshops and give people advice.
What prompted the council to collaborate with the university was a survey that found that roughly 30% of Liverpool’s adult population had gambled in the previous 12 months. Worryingly, it also found that 12% of all adults in Liverpool have experienced gambling-related harm.
Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, said the following about the new initiative:
Gambling harm often goes unnoticed, yet its impact on individuals, families, and communities can be devastating. Too many people suffer in silence, facing financial hardship and serious mental health challenges. The research, carried out in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, is a vital step in identifying those most at risk and ensuring they receive the right support.– Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Cabinet Member Comments on Gambling Harm, SBC News
He also said that the council is fully committed to working alongside the university to prevent gambling harms and help people negatively affected by gambling. It’s prepared to take the necessary action to meet these goals.
The Influence of Local Leaders
Local leaders don’t have as much power as organisations like the UKGC or DCMS. However, their policies and decisions can still greatly affect people in their jurisdiction. Khan banning gambling ads on the Tube, for example, could prevent some gambling problems.
Likewise, Liverpool City Council is work with Liverpool John Moores University could help people throughout the city who are dealing with gambling-related problems. Such initiatives can reach people that broader, nationwide policies might not reach so effectively.
The point is that local leaders can still be influential when it comes to gambling practices and their effects. For example, councils have the final say on whether betting shops can be opened in their area. They could easily decide not to allow them to be opened.
