Gambling companies "face a ban on TV advertising during the day under a crackdown on the betting industry," according to Chorley & Ellson of the LONDON TIMES. Growing numbers of children "see gambling as normal because of adverts, especially during football matches, experts believe." In response, a government review into fixed-odds betting terminals "will be expanded to include gambling adverts." A senior minister said, "The gambling industry’s luck has run out." Under existing rules, bookmakers are "allowed to advertise before the 9pm watershed provided that it is for bingo or during TV breaks in live sporting events." Adverts showing celebrities "encouraging viewers to bet on their smartphones during football matches have become commonplace." It is understood that the promotions have been identified by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport as "an area of concern." A source said, "As it stands, betting sites can basically be advertising to children all weekend." A "clampdown" on daytime advertising is "likely to be bitterly opposed by broadcasters," which stand to lose tens of millions of pounds in revenue. Gambling advertising grew by 1,400% between '05 and '12, according to Ofcom, and "one in three Premier League football clubs is now sponsored by an online casino." Young players wearing football shirts emblazoned with bookmaker branding "allows the industry to circumvent rules designed to prevent them from using sports stars under the age of 25 to promote betting" (LONDON TIMES, 10/7). CAMPAIGN LIVE's Omar Oakes reported the move "would be significant for broadcasters such as Sky and BT Sport, whose football coverage attracts million of pounds in revenue each year from betting ads." This summer Sky Sports "inked a three-year deal with bet365 to sponsor its live Premier League football coverage" (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 10/7). In London, Tom Witherow reported a review which set out to look into fixed-odds betting terminals "will now be expanded to include commercials on television." Ministers ordered a review of the betting machines -- dubbed the "crack cocaine of gambling" -- last month (DAILY MAIL, 10/7).
