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<p>Gambling advertising is subject to strict controls on content and placement which
dictate that adverts must never be targeted at children or vulnerable people, or seek
to appeal particularly to these groups. Operators who breach these rules are subject
to sanction by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Gambling Commission.
The ASA is currently consulting on proposals to strengthen these controls further,
including new rules to minimise the potential for adverts to appeal to vulnerable
people, or adversely impact them.</p><p>The government and the Gambling Commission
have been clear that gambling operators must act responsibly during the Covid-19 period
and the ASA has warned operators that they must not look to exploit the situation
in their adverts or marketing. In June 2020 members of the Betting and Gaming Council
committed to ensure at least 20% of broadcast advertising is given over to safer gambling
messaging.</p><p>The Gambling Commission has monitored gambling behaviour during the
Covid-19 period and will continue to do so. Survey data published by the Commission
in October indicated that 84% of gamblers spent the same amount or less on gambling
during lockdown (mid-March to mid-June 2020) than they had previously. The Commission
updated its guidance for operators in May to increase protections for those who may
be at heightened risk of gambling harm, directing operators to monitor customer behaviour
more closely to identify signs of potential harm, and banning mechanisms by which
customers could cancel requests to withdraw money from their account.</p><p><br>Ministers
have regular meetings with stakeholders on a range of issues. Details of Ministerial
meetings are published quarterly on the government’s website at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases?content_store_document_type=transparency&organisations%5B%5D=department-for-digital-culture-media-sport"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases?content_store_document_type=transparency&organisations%5B%5D=department-for-digital-culture-media-sport</a>.</p>
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