Gambling ads during Premier League opening weekend nearly triple, study shows

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Gambling messages during the opening weekend of this season’s Premier League have almost trebled since last year – putting fans including children at risk, according to researchers. Co-lead author Dr Raffaello Rossi, a marketing researcher from the University of Bristol, said: “This new evidence shows how much the industry is out of control – with gambling ads now flooding Premier League coverage. “Despite having had years to put in place effective measures to protect consumers, the gambling industry continues to prioritise profit over safety.” During live broadcasts of six Premier League matches, findings showed gambling messages, including logos and adverts shown during live matches, more than trebled from 6,966 at the same time last year to 23,690 this year – a 240% increase. Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who experienced gambling problems himself, said: “Gambling advertising during football events has become relentless, and this study clearly shows just how out of control it has become in the UK.” Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former vice chair of the Gambling Harms All Party Parliamentary Group, added: “This Government and the Gambling Commission must act swiftly to deliver regulation capable of meaningfully reducing exposure to gambling advertising and help save lives.” A spokesman for the Big Step campaign said: “For every day the Government lets this continue, they too are complicit in the harm to so many young fans who just want to watch the game, not be lured into addiction.