The Betting and Gaming Council says it welcomes the findings and recommendations of a group of UK politicians over the gambling industry.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee published a report containing a wide range of conclusions into the next steps for the industry.
One of the headline recommendations was a fresh curb on gambling advertising in stadiums and a move towards more safer gambling messaging instead. There were also calls for the government to require sports governing bodies to publish the gambling sponsorship code of conduct “without further undue delay.”
The CMS report added that there is an “urgent need to better understand the effects of gambling advertising on the risk of harm.”
It said a complete ban on gambling advertising “would not be appropriate” but called on other approaches to be considered.
A Betting and Gaming Council statement read: “We welcome the publication of the CMS Committee Report and its findings which reject proposals for a blanket ban on advertising, sports sponsorship and consumer promotions, which would harm our best-loved sports like horseracing and football, threaten jobs and drive customers to the growing unsafe, unregulated gambling black market online.
“The government has previously stated research did not establish a causal link between exposure to advertising and the development of problem gambling. Betting advertising and sponsorship must comply with strict guidelines and safer gambling messaging, which promotes safer gambling tools and signposts help to those concerned about their betting, is regularly and prominently displayed.
BGC welcomes UK gambling recommendations
The CMS report insisted any introduction of cashless technology in the UK’s land-based sector prevent those who prefer playing with cash from doing so.
It called on the scope of the new gambling ombudsman to include all disputes between operators and customers, “not only those relating to social responsibility failings.”
The report urged the government to set out a “detailed timetable” for the delivery of its white paper and said any financial risk checks must be “minimally intrusive.”
The BGC said: “BGC agree with the Committee that the Sport Sponsorship Code, which will further drive up standards, should be published without delay.
“We also welcome the Committee’s support for many of the measures we campaigned for including the establishment of a new mandatory ombudsman for the regulated sector, enhanced spending checks, reforms to modernise land-based casino gambling, and a mandatory levy to help fund research, prevention and treatment for those at risk of harm.
“The Committee are right to call for the government to ensure that financial checks are “minimally intrusive,” ensuring that they do not unfairly impact on the enjoyment of the millions who bet safely and responsibly.”
Cashless proposals welcomed
Elsewhere, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said of the cashless gaming proposals by the committee: “This is yet another show of support to bring gaming machines into the modern age, with MPs joining united calls from the sector.
“Amusement machines have been long-standing fixtures in pubs and are a valuable revenue stream for venues, as well being enjoyed by customers. “Cashless payments would help protect this part of their business and we look forward to the government’s conclusions on taking this forward, following an extensive consultation in the autumn.”