UK Administrative Bodies Encouraged to Tighten Control over Gambling Policies
Rewritten Article:
City leaders in the UK are under fire for not doing enough about gambling-related harm and advertising, especially in big cities like London and Liverpool. With concerns growing over national efforts not cutting it, local governments are being urged to step up.
Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, for instance, has faced criticism for failing to axe gambling ads across the Tube network as promised in 2021. Green Party Assembly Member Caroline Russell called out Khan for backing out on his promise, with betting promotions still popping up across the city's tube network.
Despite his position leading Transport for London (TfL), Khan has said he's waiting for further government guidance before making changes to advertising policies. Given that over five million people use the underground daily, local officials hold significant sway over public exposure to gambling ads.
Meanwhile, Liverpool authorities have embarked on a new project in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University to combat gambling harm. The initiative aims to host workshops, promote best practices, and develop an evidence-based action plan.
The push comes after a local poll found that nearly double the national average of Liverpool adults suffered gambling-related harm, and 30% of adults in the city gambled in the past year. What's more, studies suggest that over 25,000 local kids are being exposed to gambling at home.
Councillor Harry Doyle, the Culture, Health, and Wellbeing Cabinet Member for Liverpool City Council, noted that "gambling harm often goes unnoticed, but its impact on individuals, families, and communities can be devastating." He added that the city is committed to tackling the issue with their partners.
Beyond these two cities, places like Manchester, Leeds, and Blackpool have also expressed concerns about gambling's impact. While local governments don't have the regulatory power of bodies like the UK Gambling Commission or the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, their policies can impact the national conversation and potentially future regulations.
In addition, local councils have the authority to approve or reject betting shop applications, making them key players in the gambling industry's growth. Their growing involvement could lead to changes in the UK's approach to gambling regulation.
On a national level, a new statutory levy for gambling operators began on April 6, 2025, aiming to boost funding for gambling harm research, prevention, and treatment. The mandatory levy is intended to support local health authorities.
There have also been moves to halt plans to ease rules on high-stakes slot machines, prioritizing player protection, and better consumer protections have been implemented, including stricter financial checks and game design rules.
Local authorities are calling for more control over gambling premises. They want the ability to categorize bingo halls and adult gaming centres similarly to bookmakers, allowing them to limit the spread of gambling venues. They also want to evaluate planning applications based on local household debt levels and community concerns, and some have called for a ban on gambling advertising.
These efforts indicate a growing focus on gambling harm prevention and increased local authority control over gambling venues, reflecting broader UK policy adjustments.
- Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, despite his proactive stance on Transport for London (TfL), has faced criticism for not acting on his promise to remove gambling ads across the Tube network.
- City leaders, particularly in London and Liverpool, are under scrutiny due to their approach towards gambling-related harm and advertising.
- Stakeholders, including local officials and Green Party Assembly Member Caroline Russell, have criticized Khan's move, pointing towards continued advertising presence in the city's tube network.
- In an effort to combat gambling harm, Liverpool authorities have partnered with Liverpool John Moores University to host workshops, promote best practices, and develop an evidence-based action plan.
- Beyond Liverpool, cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Blackpool have also expressed concerns about gambling's impact and its relationship with local communities.
- Local councils, given their authority to approve or reject betting shop applications, are key players in the gambling industry's growth and its potential future regulation.
- The new statutory levy for gambling operators, implemented on April 6, 2025, aims to support local health authorities in funding research, prevention, and treatment of gambling harm at a national level.
- A ban on gambling advertising, control over gambling premises, and stricter financial checks and game design rules are among the measures implemented to prioritize player protection and better consumer protections.
- Responsible gambling, crime and justice, sports, and sports betting are topics under the general news umbrella as the UK observes trends in casino-and-gambling, casino-games, lotteries, and the influence of casino-personalties and politics on policy-and-legislation.
