Report: Industry self-regulation is 'completely failing'

[The Buzz]

A report by the the University of Bristol has shed light on the pervasive presence of gambling messages within the media landscape and social media during the inaugural weekend of the English Premier League football season.

The investigation tracked live televised broadcasts, sports news programs, sports news radio, and the expansive realm of social media during the timeframe spanning from the 11th to the 14th of August and found:

• A total of 10,999 gambling messages were identified during the weekend across various media channels.
• 6,966 gambling messages were recorded during the six live match broadcasts.
• 92% out of 391 content marketing ads sent by major gambling brands, were not clearly identifiable as advertising – and therefore breaching a key advertising regulation.
• Less than a quarter (20.6%) included gambling harm reduction messages and only 18.7% featured age warnings - leaving the majority without any warnings.
• There was at least one gambling ad during any commercial break on TalkSport Radio and 600 gambling messages during two hours of Sky Sports News.
• 1,902 gambling ads on social media, generating a total of 34 million impressions (the number of times an advert was seen).

Co-lead researcher Dr Raffaello Rossi, Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Bristol Business School, said:

"Our research shows gambling marketing during Premier League weekends is inescapable. Football fans are bombarded with gambling marketing through various channels, making it a normal part of football consumption.

"Our study highlights a serious issue with social media gambling marketing - especially content marketing. A staggering 92% of content marketing ads are not clearly identifiable as advertising, breaching key advertising regulations. We urgently need to strengthen those regulations to protect consumers – in particular children, who are especially vulnerable to sneaky advertising."

Read more here: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2023/...vertising.html

[Pokerface]

Wow, no surprise here. Ever heard of "The Fox Guarding the Hen House?