The United Kingdom administration recently declared fresh regulations to combat unlawful internet wagering promotions and enhance the safeguarding of minors from such material. These actions were commended by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), a leading industry body that has consistently supported stricter oversight.
As per the updated directives, social media companies and websites will encounter more stringent regulations regarding the promotion of “mature audience” material, encompassing gambling advertisements. This holds particular significance for soccer organizations, which will be barred from directly advertising gambling-related content, such as betting odds and website URLs, on their social media platforms.
Furthermore, the government disclosed intentions to establish a dedicated task force to elevate industry benchmarks and guarantee adherence to the new regulations. These endeavors augment the BGC’s existing code of practice, which already limits soccer clubs from displaying direct gambling promotions on their social media accounts, considering their substantial young audiences.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher applauded the announcement, stressing the criticality of shielding children and adolescents from age-inappropriate content. He recognized the necessity for reform and conveyed the industry’s backing for the government’s proactive stance on this matter.