East Suffolk Council
Council joins call to end gambling advertising
East Suffolk Council has joined a coalition of organisations calling for a nationwide end to gambling advertising.
As part of its commitment to promoting wellbeing and protecting vulnerable people, the Council has joined nine other local authorities from across the country to become part of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA).
East Suffolk Council also joins leading public health bodies, including the Royal Society for Public Health, the Association of Directors of Public Health, and the Faculty of Public Health, as members of the CEGA.
The campaign aims to reduce exposure to the potentially harmful consequences of gambling by calling on the Government to restrict advertising, promotions and sponsorship.
The Gambling Commission’s latest annual survey revealed that 2.7% of almost 20,000 respondents had experienced adverse consequences from gambling and may have lost control of their behaviour. Meanwhile, 69% of 3,869 young people recalled having seen or heard adverts or promotion about gambling through at least one online or offline source, including television, sporting events, posters or billboards, social media and video sharing platforms.
As a licensing authority, East Suffolk Council is responsible for issuing premises licences and permits for local gambling venues. Although its powers to restrict advertising are limited to spaces and channels over which it has control, joining the coalition provides a way to collective support reforming the regulations which govern the industry.
In January, Haringey Council became the first local authority to join the Coalition. East Suffolk Council is among nine newly announced members, alongside Barnet, Blackpool, Brent, Bristol, Devon, Hackney, Lewisham and Southampton. Earlier this year, joined by more than 40 other council leaders, East Suffolk Council’s Caroline Topping co-signed a letter calling on the Government to launch a six-point plan of action to help curb harms related to the industry.
Cllr Topping said:
“This is a subject that I feel very strongly about. I have been speaking out against this and for toughening up gambling restrictions since I was at Waveney District Council. I’m pleased to support the campaign and for the Council be part of the Coalition in order to strengthen restrictions.”
Cllr Jan Candy, cabinet member for Community Health, said:
“For many, gambling can be enjoyed as harmless entertainment. But, for a significant minority, it can become a destructive addiction and have severe financial and social consequences.
“Gambling advertising is often difficult to avoid encountering – and that applies for young, susceptible and vulnerable people.
“Joining the Coalition demonstrates our support for stopping the negative impacts and reducing the risk of harm caused by gambling.”
Will Prochaska, Director of CEGA, said:
“It’s inspiring to see councils stepping up to protect the health of their populations where national government is still wanting. Councils across the UK are recognising that gambling is a public health crisis fuelled by relentless advertising. By joining this coalition, they’re standing up for their communities and sending a clear message: it’s time to stop allowing companies to profit from promoting harmful products. We urge others to follow their lead.”
If anyone in East Suffolk is struggling with the impact that gambling has had on their finances and needs advice and support, they can contact the Community Help Hub by visiting the Money advice and support page of the East Suffolk Council website and completing a referral form, or calling 0333 016 2000 and asking for ‘help with money’. You can also do this on behalf of someone else that you are worried about.