BBC article: Why the gambling industry faces an uncertain future

[The Buzz]

BBC News published an article earlier this week about the future of the gambling industry, the affect of advertising clamp downs, consolidation and the increasing image problem for operators.

Here are a few excerpts:

As all eyes are on the betting shops, as with so much of the High Street, the big shift in the gambling industry is towards online.

In a digital age, "all of us are now carrying a gambling machine in our pockets, making gambling more accessible than ever," says Mark Etches, chief executive of the charity Gamble Aware.

Gambling advertising is also firmly in the regulator's sights. The industry is banned from advertising in or around programmes aimed at young people, and voluntarily doesn't advertise before the 9pm watershed. During live sport though, as any fan could tell you, the gloves are off.

Recent BBC research found that 95% of British football matches on TV featured at least one gambling commercial during ad breaks.
Many foreign companies even sponsor UK football teams as a way of getting round strict gambling advertising rules in their own country.

The Gambling Commission says companies haven't been playing ball with their code.

"We, and the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), have had to take action against misleading marketing practices, deeply irresponsible advertisements published by affiliates, and the proliferation, on operators' websites, of advertisements of particular appeal to under 18s," it says.

"This situation is not acceptable and is damaging trust and confidence in the gambling industry."

At the start of April, new standards for gambling adverts come into effect. The Committee of Advertising Practice will ban adverts creating a "sense of urgency", for example saying "Bet Now!", or those that trivialise gambling.

And later this year more guidelines will be published focusing on protecting young people.

This could go further. The Gambling Commission wants to increase its powers to fine operators who do not follow ASA rules.

Moving forward, Clive Hawkswood of the Remote Gambling Association says the industry's image problem needs to be addressed.

"It is hoped that to some degree the conclusion of the current Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport review will draw a line in the sand and that any changes flowing from it will begin to improve perceptions. But everyone in the industry knows it will be an uphill struggle."

The latest Gambling Commission statistics contain a warning from Commission executive director Tim Miller: "We would urge all gambling businesses to be acutely aware that as their market grows so too will our focus on ensuring that consumers are protected."

Read the entire article here: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43418099

[DavidL]

Change is coming and it is welcomed, but it would be nice to see the ASA, RGA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport all working from the same page.

[Mattbar]

Change is coming and it is welcomed, but it would be nice to see the ASA, RGA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport all working from the same page.

Here, here.... or more accurately hear, hear!

[big fish]

Personally I think all of the regulatory changes and enforcement are good for the industry. Its been a bit like the wild west for way too long. In the end having a properly regulated online gambling industry will be in the best interest of the casino operators and most importantly the players.