Gambling industry launches new advertising code in the UK
Tuesday 7th August 2007
A new voluntary gambling industry code for socially responsible advertising developed jointly by the major trade associations has been released in the UK.
Following implementation of the Gambling Act of 2005, the fist day of September will see a grater ability to advertise gambling products on television and radio. The code, which supplements the principal advertising rules produced and administered by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sets out a number of key principles and offers advice to gambling operators to assist them in producing socially responsible advertising.
It also lists a number of specific requirements including the inclusion in advertisements of a reference to gambleaware.co.uk, a website established by the Responsibility In Gambling Trust (RIGT) to provide advice and information about responsible gambling, the introduction of a 9pm watershed before which gambling products cannot be broadcast on television and that logos and other gambling promotional material should not appear on commercial merchandising designed for use by children.
The new code was developed in consultation with the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), the Gambling Commission, Responsibility In Gambling Trust (RIGT), Gamcare and a wide group of industry interests and is a practical example of the gambling industry’s commitment to social responsibility.
An industry group is being established to monitor and review the code on a regular basis with the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB), the Bingo Association, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), the British Casino Association (BCA), the Business In Sport And Leisure (BISL) and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) all represented.
A new voluntary gambling industry code for socially responsible advertising developed jointly by the major trade associations has been released in the UK.