TLDR
- The House of Lords Liaison Committee published a report urging a full ban on gambling advertising across the UK.
- The report says advertising drives gambling harm, which affects up to 1.5 million adults in Britain.
- A cited study found a 10% cut in gambling spend could add £1.25 billion in value and create over 22,000 jobs.
- The Betting and Gaming Council pushed back, warning that a ban would push bettors toward unlicensed platforms.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has already moved to limit how easily new betting shops can open.
The House of Lords Liaison Committee has called for a total ban on gambling advertising in the United Kingdom. The committee published its findings in a report titled Gambling Harm – Time for Action on September 17, 2026.
The report argues that advertising is one of the main forces behind gambling harm in the country. It states that only a full ban can meaningfully cut the risks tied to betting promotions.
Committee members framed the issue as part of a broader public health concern. They noted that gambling harm affects as many as 1.5 million adults across Britain.
The report traces today’s advertising landscape back to the Gambling Act 2005. That law lifted earlier restrictions and opened the door to widespread promotion of betting products.
Since then, the gambling industry has spent more than £1 billion each year on advertising. The report claims Britain now stands out compared to other countries that have already placed tighter limits on betting ads.
Lords Highlight Health and Economic Benefits
The committee did not stop at health concerns. It also pointed to possible economic gains from lowering gambling participation.
A study referenced in the report found that a 10% drop in gambling spend could raise gross value added by £1.25 billion. That same drop could create more than 22,000 jobs.
Lord Foster spoke directly to this point. He said there are clear health and economic benefits tied to reducing how much people gamble.
The committee still left room for some exceptions. It backed earlier advice that on-course betting ads at horseracing and greyhound events should stay legal.
It also asked the government to study the risks of lottery advertising before deciding if that should fall under the ban too.
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, who chairs the committee, said six years have passed since the last major report on gambling’s social and economic impact. He said the time was right to look at advertising again since past recommendations went largely unaddressed.
The committee added that concerns about the illegal betting market should not delay action on licensed advertising.
Betting Industry Pushes Back
The Betting and Gaming Council had already spoken out against a blanket ad ban just days before the Lords report came out. The trade body said banning ads would not stop people from gambling.
The group argued that licensed firms already follow some of the strictest rules in the industry. It pointed out that about a fifth of member ad spending goes toward safer gambling messages.
The council’s bigger concern is the black market. It estimates unlicensed bookmakers could take in up to £800 million in bets during this Premier League season alone.
It also expects unlicensed betting ad spend to pass licensed operator spend by 2028. The group warned that banning ads outright would not remove gambling, it would push it toward unsafe platforms.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July 2026, has already signaled his stance on gambling. He moved to remove the “aim to permit” rule that had forced local councils to approve new betting shops even when residents objected.
As mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham had pushed for an advertising ban before. He has also said he wants betting sponsorship removed from sports.
