Britain relaxes gambling act
p2pnet.net news:- Britons can expect a surge in online gambling sites, along with a concomitant increase in associated spam.
Casinos, betting shops and online gaming sites will be able to advertise on TV and radio from September for the first time under the 2005 Gambling Act, says Guardian Unlimited, going on:
“The self-regulatory body that draws up the advertising codes said yesterday that the ’strict new rules’ would ensure the adverts remained socially responsible.
At the moment, gambling ads are limited to billboards, sponsorship and online advertising, now, “Gambling operators, who preside over an industry worth around £53 billion, must ensure any new adverts do not imply gambling can be a solution to financial problems,” says The Telegraph.
“The rules, drawn up by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), must also not be of particular appeal to children and young people. And as with alcohol commercials, gambling adverts must not link the activity to seduction, sexual success or enhanced attractiveness.”
“Does this present a challenge to the gambling industry’s efforts to promote itself?” – wonders The Register.
“Hardly,” it says. “With James Bond on the one hand and the Vegas-obsessed Hip Hop industry on the other, the entertainment industry is already doing the gambling industry’s dirty work for it. Casino operators could probably get away with just printing their name and address and leaving it at that.
“It was left to the Salvation Army to bang for the drum for keeping restrictions on gambling ads. Captain Matt Spencer, from The Salvation Army’s Public Affairs Unit pointed out in a statement that ‘adverts are designed to stimulate demand’, adding that ‘gambling should not be considered a normal ‘leisure’ activity since it can be highly addictive and damaging’.”
Like many other sites, p2pnet has a comment spam problem. And most of it comprises gambling and porn. We kill what gets through the verification system, usually within hours.
CAP and BCAP won’t be dealing with that.
Also See:
Guardian Unlimited – Gambling adverts face strict rules on social responsibility, March 13, 2007
The Telegraph – Ban on gambling adverts to be lifted, March 13, 2007
The Register – Non-glamorous gambling ads to hit UK from September, March 13, 2007
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