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Seòmar agus comataidhean

End Gambling Adverts to Prevent Further Harm

  • Submitted by: Alex Rowley, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 September 2021
  • Motion reference: S6M-01297

That the Parliament is concerned by the reported weight of international research regarding the impact of gambling advertising and, in particular, the effects on children and those who have suffered from gambling disorders, including an increasing intent to gamble; expresses its deep sadness at what it understands to be an estimated 250 to 650 gambling-related suicides in the UK every year, as well as an estimated five million people who are affected by gambling-related harm, and 55,000 children who are already addicted to gambling in the UK; notes with concern reports that gambling companies have been very successful in generating awareness of gambling among 11 to 24-year-olds, with one study finding that participants in this age group knew more than seven of the 10 gambling brands listed, and that 43% of those aged 18 to 24 and 22% of those aged 11 to 17, had engaged with gambling advertising in the last month, such as owning merchandise or discussing a gambling company; acknowledges the reported findings of a review of 27 studies from across the world that found that higher exposure to gambling advertising was related to more favourable attitudes towards gambling, with greater intentions to gamble and to gamble more frequently, and to spend more money on gambling; understands that gambling advertising has a cumulative effect over time and has a role in encouraging vulnerable people to gamble when they had not intended to, or to gamble more; considers that ending gambling advertising could help prevent harm by removing a risk factor, and supports the call from the Coalition Against Gambling Ads to end all gambling advertising, promotion and sponsorship in order to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from what it sees as the predatory behaviour of many gambling advertisements.


Supported by: Jackie Baillie, Colin Beattie, Katy Clark, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, John Mason, Stuart McMillan, Pauline McNeill, Carol Mochan, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Mercedes Villalba