Problem-gambling awareness charity GambleAware "has taken on football betting for the first time in a new campaign ahead of the busy festive schedule of matches," according to Omar Oakes of CAMPAIGN LIVE. The ad, created by And Rising, "shows young footballers at every level -- including children -- suffering from a mysterious phenomenon of disappearing balls." It builds up to the footballers "descending on to a betting shop, whose roof is completely covered in the missing footballs." A voiceover then asks, "Is betting taking away our love of the game?" At the end, a child knocks on the door of the shop and pleads, "Can we have our ball back?" The spot, also called "Can we have our ball back?," runs on social media and launched on Monday. The launch of "Can we have our ball back?" follows a financial analysis by gambling industry specialist Regulus Partners that shows total spend by gambling companies on marketing is up by 56% to £1.5B ($1.92B) since '14. The film was directed by BAFTA nominee Scott Lyon alongside And Rising Exec Creative Dir Will Thacker. It was created by Toby Roberts and Julie Herskin (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 11/26).
