RGA to lead industry advertising review
Industry body to conduct review following request from culture secretary Maria Miller, with report due in June
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has been tasked with leading a review of the gambling industry’s advertising code by culture secretary Maria Miller, as the government responds to political outcry concerning marketing practices.
Miller, who last week ordered a review of TV gambling advertising, wrote to RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood requesting him to conduct the review.
Speaking to eGaming Review this morning, Hawkswood said the review is still in the planning stages with the project being overseen jointly with the Bingo Association, the Association of British Bookmakers, and the British Amusement Catering Trade Association.
Work will also be undertaken by trade bodies including the Gambling Commission, Advertising Standards Authority, OFCOM, the Committee of Advertising Practice and its broadcast equivalent, and initial discussions have taken place between them and the RGA.
Miller has requested the RGA reports findings of the review by June at the latest, and Hawkswood revealed a report will be issued to conclude whether the code would benefit from updating.
“In the light of that we might signal changes to the industry code, but it is far too early to suggest what, if any, changes might be made,” Hawkswood said.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport last week denied reports in the national press the gambling industry could be hit with similar restrictions to those applied to the advertising of tobacco products, however more stringent regulation is on the cards.
The Labour Party has tabled an amendment to the gambling bill currently progressing through the House of Lords that would see gambling adverts on television banned before the UK watershed of 9pm.
Last week saw Paddy Power reprimanded by the ASA for its Oscar Pistorius advertising campaign that triggered a record number of complaints.