British MPs want ban on Google gambling ads

[The Buzz]

In October web giant Google relaxed its policy on gambling advertisements in the UK. The Church of England wasn't too happy about that, and now 40 Members of Parliament want Google to stop advertising online gambling firms.


From the Telegraph:

The motion, brought by Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said: "This house notes with concern the recent decision of Google to reintroduce online gambling advertisements during a period of economic downturn; supports the Church of England's position that the actions of Google risk normalising gambling in society; and calls on Google to review its policy in line with its own obligations on corporate social responsibility."


A spokesman for the Church of England said: "As people are facing more financial uncertainty, the fantasy of instant wealth could become particularly attractive and the consequences of losses correspondingly serious"

[matthewt]

Why do the MPs want to put this rule on Google advertising? Anybody have a good idea, besides money as their motivation?

[Doolally]

No word of the TV advertising that's going on. I don't mind opinions but double standards really annoy me.

[Simmo!]

"...risk normalising gambling in society"

Yeah right...and the National Lottery Doesn't?

Actually this guy is vehemently anti-gambling...he's disagreed with every gambling motion put to the house over the past 5 years except one...when he was absent. He's anti-lottery too to be fair.

The trouble is, like we see in the USA, politicians don't put the people first. They work on their own beliefs, or that of a minority, without considering both sides. They think they are doing good, but are quite prepared to remove "freeedom of choice" from public life so that a few can get a benefit, or for a financial gain which I don't think is the case here.

Politicians should be looking at assisting those who can't cope to be able to act responsibly within their environment, without affecting those who are capable. If we removed exposure to every potential addiction, we would be removing people's right to decide for themselves. There would be mass unemployment, a rife black market, lots of "illegal" activity and many more problems than there are in a regulated market. But they don't stop to consider that and the proof - the US alcohol prohibition - is so long ago it can be conveniently forgotten.

[joeyl]

Minors can gamble in the arcades on category D machines at the seaside here (family entertainment centres) in the UK.

Kiddie casinos are also available in the USA.

That's how you normalise the thing.

[Simmo!]

Kiddie casinos are also available in the USA.

LOL - excellent read. Liked this quote especially:

In all fairness, though, the arcades do offer more wholesome non-gambling video games, like the ones where the player tries to kill everything that comes into view.

Minors can gamble in the arcades on category D machines at the seaside here

Did you catch that documentary recently on kiddy gamblers in the seaside towns? Quite eye-opening.

[Chalkie]

This could be disasterous!

The British govt get no taxes from google so if they get a bee in their bonnet the google advertising avenue will be gone once more.

Khalid Mahmood is local to me, i might go and let his tyres down!

[lionslots]

The Church of England

Bingo night?

[Betpartners]

I would not be concerned at all, European legislation via the European Union would never allow such an arbitrary ban,

Bans on gambling are being rolled back left right and centre throughout Europe, will take time and some governments are fighting it hard, but they will be dragged screaming and kicking in to allowing all forms of gambling and marketing associated with it.

[Simmo!]

I would not be concerned at all, European legislation via the European Union would never allow such an arbitrary ban,

Bans on gambling are being rolled back left right and centre throughout Europe, will take time and some governments are fighting it hard, but they will be dragged screaming and kicking in to allowing all forms of gambling and marketing associated with it.

It's not the law that would force a change though IMO. It would more likely come from Google wanting to play it safe. Like in the USA, simply applying some pressure or threat is often enough. Microgaming - case in point.

[Betpartners]

The UK as a single country simply does not have that sort of threat capability that the USA has, as an example in the USA they think nothing of draging someone off a plane and arresting them using their anti gambling laws.

Google are just not afraid of the UK,

Now if it was the EU as a whole thats different, but the EU does not have universal agreement on gambling legislation and the UK would lack thier support and thus any threat from the UK is blunted without the full EU behind them.

[Simmo!]

The UK as a single country simply does not have that sort of threat capability that the USA has, as an example in the USA they think nothing of draging someone off a plane and arresting them using their anti gambling laws.

Google are just not afraid of the UK,

Now if it was the EU as a whole thats different, but the EU does not have universal agreement on gambling legislation and the UK would lack thier support and thus any threat from the UK is blunted without the full EU behind them.

That's a fair point, but it begs the question why did Google ban gambling ads in the UK in the first place? It was a lack of clear guidelines, since introduced via the Whitelist of course, but the fact that they didn't want to take ads without those guidelines implies that they are careful about treading on toes here.

[Betpartners]

Were gambling ads not banned world wide and not just in the UK?

Dont think it was confined to the UK only

[Simmo!]

Yup - worldwide as far as I am aware.

[universal4]

I agree,

but the EU does not have universal4 agreement on gambling

They should just allow me to create the agreement....

....oops....sorry I am just in that kinda mood today....sorry to derail....

Rick
Universal4