Gambling advertising in Scottish football is “grooming children '' into a lifestyle of betting an SNP MP has claimed.
Ronnie Cowan MP made a call for action to curtail gambling advertising in sport as he voiced frustration over the delays in reforming gambling legislation.
The Inverclyde SNP MP, who is vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm, called on the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to show some urgency on the issue as changes to the law were being delayed.
Cowan spoke ahead of taking part in an event this Sunday highlighting the effects of gambling on society being organised by the Big Step charity.
During a Commons session Cowan said: “They recognise the harm that gambling does every single day, and the part that football advertising plays in grooming children and normalising gambling in adults.”
He asked Culture Minister Chris Philp: “With the gambling act seemingly getting further and further away, are there any measures which will be in the final act that could be implemented now rather than waiting to dot every I and cross every T?”
The Minister agreed that people are suffering harm from gambling addiction.
Philp added: “He won’t have to wait much longer for the review and the issues he raises will be squarely addressed.”
Cowan, who was previously part of the successful campaign to regulate Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in the UK, wants to see curbs on gambling advertising associated with football, including banning adverts on teams’ jerseys.
Speaking afterwards, he said: ”Football should be about the beautiful game, but it is becoming impossible to watch without exposure to gambling adverts.
“This type of advertising can have a devastating effect on young people and the vulnerable."
Cowan added: “We owe it to bereaved families who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide to provide better safeguards."
“We need to move to a place where gambling is tolerated, not promoted.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
