GambleAware is calling for health warnings on gambling adverts after recent findings from a survey of over 7,000 people found that current safer gambling messaging was inadequate at highlighting harms and risks.
The research explored the slogan ‘Take Time To Think’ and found that messaging like ‘gambling can be addictive’, ‘gambling comes at a cost’ and ‘gambling can grip anyone’ is more effective.
Additional findings in the report also found that the inclusion of a clear and separate GambleAware health warning at the end of a 30-second video is more than twice as effective as ‘Take Time To Think’ at showing people where to get support, with 72% stating they found the option more effective.
It comes after MPs debated the issue of gambling regulation in March this year, with the politicians responding to a gambling white paper calling for a new set of codes to deal with the marketing of gambling.
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“Gambling harms are a serious public health issue, and it is vital that people are aware of the risks associated. Today’s landmark study underscores the need to replace the industry-led slogan ‘Take Time To Think’ with more compelling health warnings,” said GambleAware chief communications officer Alexia Clifford.
“We’re also concerned about operators’ misuse of the GambleAware logo and the lack of clear signposting to support channels. We urge industry to take heed of the growing body of evidence highlighting the need for better safeguards and restrictions,” she continued.
University of Bristol marketing lecture Dr Rafaello Rossi added: “In the absence of strict gambling marketing restrictions, it is absolutely vital that we see warnings on gambling advertising that highlight the addictive nature of gambling, paired with clear, unambiguous signposting for people to access support if needed.”
“We need to see better regulation of gambling operators who are widely bombarding us with their ads.”
