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uk lords call for a complete ban on betting adverts

members of the house of lords want a total ban on gambling marketing to reduce public harm.

Written by the BettingEdgeHub desk, 17 September 2026

Politicians in the United Kingdom are pushing for a strict tobacco style ban on all gambling advertising. The House of Lords Liaison Committee published a new report claiming the government has been too passive regarding digital marketing. Lawmakers believe stopping promotions will protect vulnerable people from financial hardship and serious personal issues.

The case for advertising restrictions

Lord Foster of Bath argued that betting should be permitted but never actively stimulated by companies. Industry spending on promotions reached billions recently, which worries public health advocates. Supporters of the new policy believe stopping commercials will directly lower the number of problem gamblers across the country.

Industry pushback and black market fears

The Betting and Gaming Council strongly disagreed with the findings and defended current rules. Chief executive Grainne Hurst stated that existing regulations already protect young people effectively. Industry representatives warned that pushing legitimate operators out of the advertising space will only drive customers toward unsafe illegal websites.

Economic impact and future outlook

The regulated betting sector already faces higher tax burdens imposed by the government earlier this year. Introducing advertising limits could shrink legal businesses further according to the committee report. However, authors of the study suggest money saved by consumers could boost other areas of the economy instead.