Peers call for UK to enact tobacco-style ban on gambling advertising

Lords’ report faces criticism from lobby groups after suggesting ban would be ‘most effective’ way to reduce public harms

The UK should introduce a ban on almost all gambling advertising to protect public health, a cross-party group of peers has urged, prompting fury from the lobby group for bookmakers and casinos.

In a 173-page report, the House of Lords liaison committee said the government had been “too passive” in response to an explosion of digital advertising and social media influencers promoting the gambling sector.