Pressure is mounting in London to finally act on a long-promised ban on gambling ads across the London Underground. Five more boroughs have joined a growing campaign that aims to remove betting promotions from the city’s transport network. Although Mayor Sadiq Khan repeatedly promised to implement such restrictions, he has yet to implement any measures.
City Hall Refuses to Take a Hard Stance
Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Hackney, and Lewisham have all joined the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), lending their strength to a movement that has gathered substantial momentum over the past year. The boroughs argue that gambling harm is on the rise, and London’s public spaces should not be helping to normalise an industry linked to serious social harm.
This rising discontent has renewed scrutiny of Sadiq Khan’s 2021 pledge to remove harmful gambling advertising from Transport for London property. Opponents argue that efforts to control problematic marketing have stalled, drawing attention to the steady stream of digital displays and platform posters advertising casino apps and online betting offers.
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office claimed that City Hall is waiting for the government’s comprehensive review of gambling advertising before making a final decision. The review is examining the scale of gambling-related harm and the role of marketing, especially on children and vulnerable adults. However, many critics view these statements as a stalling tactic to avoid responsibility.
London Is Especially Affected by Gambling Harm
Campaigners and families argue that the proliferation of gambling ads is a symptom of a rising epidemic. According to the UK Gambling Commission, more than a million people suffer significant consequences because of another person’s gambling. Young people are disproportionately affected, often through a parent’s addiction or their own early exposure to online betting.
CEGA’s director, Will Prochaska, noted that the councils’ proactive stance showcased how local leaders can step up where national policymakers hesitate. He was adamant that removing gambling ads would benefit local communities and hoped that other boroughs would join the movement to prevent the promotion of harmful products.
“Councils across the UK are recognising that gambling is a public health crisis fuelled by relentless advertising.”
Will Prochaska, CEGA director
New research from the Gambling Commission has added more fuel to the dispute. The regulator projects that the number of adults in the UK suffering gambling problems stands at 1.4 million, with London representing a significant hotspot. The city’s gambling-related harm rate is 5.6%, which is almost double the national average. With the mayor under renewed pressure and public concern rising, gambling adverts in public transport may soon be a thing of the past.