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The UK government has been asked to limit gambling advertising in Northern Ireland.
The Stormont Assembly All Party Group for Reducing Harm Related to Gambling has written Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State of Culture, Media and Sport, to ask her to take action to protect the public of the region.
In a letter to Ms Nandy sent at the conclusion of Safer Gambling Week by the MLAs including Philip McGuigan, chairman of the Sinn Fein group, and Robbie Butler, UUP, they asked her to close a gap in the online gambling advertising.
The UK government has not updated the gambling laws in Northern Ireland since the advent and popularity of the Internet.
MLAs worry that there isn’t enough time left in the current Assembly term to pass a Bill.
Recently, the Irish Parliament passed legislation that tightens restrictions on gambling marketing.
The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has the authority to determine the hours, locations and events when gambling advertisements can be broadcasted, displayed or printed.
The MLAs wrote in their letter to Ms Nandy: “We urge that you use your powers under the Gambling Act of 2005 to take immediate actions on gambling advertising and promotions and protect the people across the islands from further harm related to gambling.”
The report cited a recent study by Maynooth University & Ulster University that showed young people in Ireland were exposed to an “extremely large level of gambling marketing”. This was through television sports programs and social media content.
They wrote: “Northern Ireland is the only jurisdiction in these islands that has not updated its gambling laws since the advent and popularity of the Internet.”
“Unfortunately, the Executive has not been given enough legislative time to bring forward a Gambling Bill in this current Assembly mandate.
This leaves our residents here, who already suffer the highest levels in gambling-related harm on these islands, highly vulnerable.
As online and broadcasting advertising are reserved matters, the regulator does not protect our population.
The law allows you to stop gambling companies from targeting those who are already gambling-affected on social media.
“Introducing restrictions similar those in Ireland will have a profoundly positive impact on Northern Ireland, Britain, and Ireland where British television is widely viewed.”
We urge you to immediately take action to reduce the harm that gambling causes in these islands and to limit the promotion of gambling within the UK.
A spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport said they would reply to the MLAs’ letter in due time.
