U.K. Labour Party Plans To Outlaw In-Play Betting Ads

Tom Watson called problem gambling "a public health emergency."GETTY IMAGES

The U.K. Labour party "plans to outlaw in-play betting ads," with a "whistle-to-whistle" ban on TV and online gambling promotions during live sporting events, according to Russell Jackson of the SCOTSMAN. The proposal forms part of a "radical overhaul of gambling regulation" unveiled by Deputy Leader Tom Watson following a year-long review. Branding problem gambling "a public health emergency," Watson said that Labour's "next manifesto will include the ban" as well as proposals for:

• A ban on credit card betting.
• Increased resources for research into and treatment of gambling addiction, funded in part from a "compulsory" 1% levy on operators' gross gambling yield.
• New rules to "allow addicts to tell their banks to block online gambling transactions."

He also repeated Labour's call for Premier League football clubs to "end sponsorship deals with gambling firms, and pledged legislation if they do not act voluntarily" (SCOTSMAN, 9/20).