Online Gambling Advertising in UK Increased 600 percent

A new study conducted by the Independent regulator Ofcom revealed that internet gaming television ads in the UK were up no less than 600 percent since the regulatory framework was amended in 2007. Online gaming, including casinos and poker, as well as sports betting were legalized in the UK when the Gambling Act of 2005 was submitted. At that point in time, only 90,000 gaming ads were aired on television, but this figure increased to 537,000 after only one year prior to the legislation coming into force. Furthermore, between 2005 and 2012, gaming and betting spots increased from 17.4 million to a whopping 34.2 million, especially since cable companies introduced a wider variety of television channels.

Reports also showed that in 2012, 411,000 internet casino and poker ads, but also 91,000 sports spots were aired. Ofcom revealed that today, people can watch 1.4 million gambling ads aired by UK television channels. Spokespeople for Ofcom also unveiled that this number of commercials is viewed by individuals 30.9 billion times across the year. Despite the fact that this is good piece of news for operators who seek to open an online casino in UK, various opponents claim that the excess of commercials might influence children who have access to watching them. Thus, authorities could soon take measures to protect UK children from being exposed to gambling ads.