National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms
Publish evaluation report on the 'whistle to whistle' ban on sports betting advertising (BGC)
Updates
November 2020
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) published the evaluation of the 'whistle to whistle' ban on sports betting advertising. The report found that the new commitment saw gambling advertising on TV virtually eliminated during the restricted period, according to independent data. The report also stated:
As a proportion of total TV gambling advertising consumption, the W2W period fell from 10.5% to just 0.6%, resulting in 109 million fewer advertising views over comparative weekends.
Total gambling advertising exposure over the full duration of live sport pre-watershed programmes also declined by 78%, resulting in 103 million fewer advertising views between comparative weekends.
Gambling advertising views by children (aged 4-17) reduced by 70% over the full duration of live sporting programmes and was effectively eliminated from the restricted W2W period.