Sky will limit number of gambling advertisements

[The Buzz]

Even though it will cost millions of pounds in annual revenue, pay-TV giant Sky will begin dramatically cutting the number of gambling advertisements it airs, amid rising concern over addiction and the prominence of betting in sport.

Sky will impose a limit of one gambling advertisement per commercial break on its channels from the start of the next Premier League season in August. Currently, up to four betting promotions are shown during each commercial break, with slots during live matches on Sky Sports in high demand to attract “in play” betting.

From The Telegraph:

The restrictions will apply to all channels for which Sky sells advertising slots, including Channel 5, which is owned by the US media group Viacom. All forms of gambling, including bingo and online poker, will be covered by the new rules.

The move add to pressure on the gambling industry, which already faces a government clampdown on lucrative fixed-odds betting terminals. The sports minister Tracey Crouch resigned last week over a delay in plans to slash the maximum stake allowed by such machines from £50 to £2.

Self-imposed advertising restrictions are expected to cost Sky tens of millions of pounds in annual revenue. Gambling accounts for about £200m per year in television advertising sales, and Sky is thought to control nearly half of the market. The full financial impact is difficult to assess partly because advertising slots on Sky Sports are auctioned off, so prices may rise when supply is curtailed.

From 2020 Sky will also allow viewers to exclude gambling from commercial breaks entirely. Technology built into its set-top boxes and those of cable operator Virgin Media will insert alternative advertising in its place.

Read more here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...-campaign-pre/

[TheGooner]

"Even though it will cost Sky .." ....

Or with a self imposed limit of one gambling ad per break Sky have found a cunning new way to ratchet up the price of commercials for gambling companies by creating false scarcity.

You want to buy the ONLY available ad spot at halftime?
I dunno - everyone wants that - so it will cost you a lot ...

[Gone2]

Of course the prices will rise, Sky is no welfare association

From 2020 Sky will also allow viewers to exclude gambling from commercial breaks entirely. Technology built into its set-top boxes and those of cable operator Virgin Media will insert alternative advertising in its place.

This sounds interesting.

[Cash Bonus]

It will for sure be interesting to see how this will all play out.

[JoeHarris]

Was there recently and it seems to be less than 6 months ago, when you are watching the football there were so many ads for online casinos! Now it's mainly ads for vacuum cleaners lol

[allaboutthebets]

Was there recently and it seems to be less than 6 months ago, when you are watching the football there were so many ads for online casinos! Now it's mainly ads for vacuum cleaners lol

Everyone loves and needs a good vacuum cleaner......

[Shulkin]

That's a bit weird, they wouldn't just cut it because they care. There is something else behind it. Also, regarding "gambling on TV", even Robin Williams constantly mentions bookie odds during X-Factor, which is really weird as they don't have kind of official betting sponsor.

[Sherlock]

Not that I have some hope for UK market, but this might help affiliates a bit.

[eboy78]

Gambling ad ban will become the norm anyway