UK Gambling Promotion Restrictions Agreed Upon

Betting companies will not create children's shirts with sponsorship and logo info and obey an advertising curfew.

The British gambling industry appears to have reached agreement with the government on new restrictions pertaining to gambling promotions, according to a weekend article in The Observer newspaper.

When it comes to replica hero memorabilia for children, the industry has agreed that betting company branding and logos will not be included in the design, and on the advertising front it has been accepted that radio and television advertising will be limited until after 9 pm at night, although some exemptions have been made for Premiership games.

The agreement comes after a meeting with the new Culture Secretary, James Purnell, and The Observer quotes a government source as enlightening the public that Purnell believed the prospect of ads for online gambling sites during children's programs was something he was resolute to avoid to protect children. It was also disclosed that Purnell was strongly against the idea of children remotely being able to wear shirts or attire in general with gambling logos on them.

The new gambling law gives the Secretary of State extensive authority to limit advertising at his discretion. Purnell reportedly told industry representatives that he would not hesitate to act if the voluntary rules were not tightened significantly. Under the new code, there will be no gambling advertisements before the 9 pm cut-off point and they will carry 'social responsibility signposting' comparable to that required of alcohol advertising.

The government is to continue an exemption for sports-betting advertisements during televised Premiership games and other televise sporting events, in addition to lottery and bingo advertising, partially because the income rally round support for grassroots and minority sports.

The move by Purnell is the latest sign of the government's retreat from Blair-era policies on gambling. An industry executive who was a part in the discussion said that, despite pressure from local MPs to restore plans for casinos in Manchester and Blackpool, any such move appear 'very, very unlikely'.

This news comes after months of negotiation to maintain plans to lift the advertising ban on gambling and online casinos. At points it appeared that the new Gordon/Purnell government would prevent any form of growth within the gaming industry in their boarders. Albeit limited opportunities, this is more of a positive step than previously believed possible, since this cabinet came into place.