In the UK, Liberal Democrats have challenged the Senet Group’s “When The Fun Stops, Stop” campaign about responsible gambling, calling for it to be scrapped in a bid to overhaul the industry’s approach to the issue. The independent Senet Group was created by four of Britain’s leading gambling companies—William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Paddy Power—in response to public concerns on gambling, and gambling advertising in particular.
An article this week in SBC News said the centrist party claims the Senet campaign could be making the national gambling crisis worse, and wants further scrutiny into the methods used to combat the issue.
Addressing the matter, former LibDem MP John Leech said the gambling industry must offer additional support to those at risk of problem gambling. “It is becoming increasingly clear that children’s well-being is being threatened by the gambling addictions of adults around them,” he said. “These same children tune in to sporting events which are then bombarded by sinister gambling adverts—if not overtly, through sponsorship deals.”
The party will continue efforts to overhaul the gambling industry by tackling advertisements, online betting and marketing, said Leech, who currently sits as the Leader of the Opposition for the Manchester City Council. He previously served as the Liberal Democrat lead on Culture, Media and Sports during the Coalition Government, and was a key figurehead in the campaign to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to £2.
His comments come as the House of Lords Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry has carried out a review into the social and economic impact.
“There is now enough proof that the crass `When the Fun Stops, Stop’ slogan is not working, and it could be exacerbating the national gambling crisis,” Leech said.
