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Gambling Firms’ Adverts are Among the Most Aired Radio Commercials During School Run Hours in the UK
Gambling firms’ Adverts are among the most aired radio commercials during school run hours in the UK, according to an analysis for the Guardian by market analysis firm Nielsen.
Data shows gambling came second in a list of industries that spend the most to appear on commercial radio between 7 am and 8 am and from 3 pm to 4 pm.
The analysts found that gambling accounted for 5% of all spending during school-run hours, with about 1200 hours of ads airing during those times over the past 12 months.
The amount spent on gambling ads was exceeded only by government communications – including Covid-19 messages – and motor supplies. Nielsen does not disclose the actual spending figures because it is commercially sensitive data.
Many of the ads are for the national lottery, but ads broadcast during the school run also include spots for betting and online slot machine brands such as Gala Casino.
After it was contacted by the Guardian, Entain, which owns Gala Casino, is understood to have added a stipulation to its media-buying arrangements to prevent broadcast during weekday school-run times.
Government statistics suggest millions of children are likely to be in the car during the period. There are 8.9 million schoolchildren in the country and the last in-depth survey by the Department for Transport survey found that 46% of children aged 5-10, and 23% of those aged 11-16, go to school by car.
Addiction experts and campaigners said the figures underscore the need for an ongoing government review of gambling regulation to take a tough stance on advertising.
Heather Wardle, Lord Kelvin Adam Smith reader in social sciences at Glasgow University, said: “Commercial gambling is rightly considered an adult-only activity, yet the way it’s advertised across radio and other media makes it very difficult to protect our children from being exposed to this.
“Evidence from the Gambling Commission shows that 7% of children exposed to gambling advertising said that seeing or hearing advertising prompts them to gamble when they were not planning on doing so.”
Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs a cross-party group examining gambling harms, called for reform of “national disgrace” advertising rules. “Until we completely overhaul their access to advertising platforms, we will continue to expose children and vulnerable adults to this unrelenting attack,” she said.
The government is due to publish proposals for the reform of gambling regulation early next year.
A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) said: “BGC members abide by the strict rules set down by the Advertising Standards Authority. Indeed, since the BGC began two years ago, we have introduced a number of measures to go even further than the requirements of the advertising codes developed by both the ASA and the Committees of Advertising Practice.
“In addition, our members also ensure that 20% of their TV and radio ads are safer gambling messages.”
A spokesperson for the national lottery operator, Camelot, said it needed to advertise at all times of the day to reach as many people as possible. “We’ve always followed strict guidelines to ensure our ads don’t appeal to children, and this has contributed to it being widely recognised that the inherent risk of unhealthy play associated with national lottery games is extremely low,” said the spokesperson.
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North Star Network (NSN) has announced its acquisition of Soccernet.ng, a prominent Nigerian sports media platform, marking a significant expansion into the Nigerian sports scene and underscoring its ambition to solidify its footprint in the African media landscape.
Founded in 2014, Soccernet.ng has become a trusted authority on Nigerian football, providing in-depth daily coverage of local football alongside trending stories from the global soccer world. Known for its quality journalism and passionate team of football enthusiasts, the platform has achieved significant recognition, including the Sport Blog of the Year award at the Nigerian Blog Awards.
A Strategic Move into Africa
The acquisition of Soccernet.ng is part of North Star Network’s strategy to expand its portfolio in Africa. The platform joins NSN’s roster of over 30 respected sports media brands, which includes Afrik-Foot, Top Mercato, Football Whispers, Sportsmole, and Vringe.
Julien Josset, Co-founder of North Star Network, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:
“We’re excited to welcome Soccernet.ng into the North Star Network family. Their passion for Nigerian football and commitment to quality journalism align perfectly with our global vision of bringing fans closer to the game they love.”
Preserving Soccernet.ng’s Legacy
Soccernet.ng will retain its original team of dedicated journalists, ensuring the platform’s authenticity and unique voice remain intact. The website currently engages readers not only in Nigeria but also across over 150 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Spain.
Biyi Akangbe, Founder of Soccernet.ng, reflected on the platform’s journey:
“We started as a small website 10 years ago with a passion to deliver news about Nigerian footballers to readers. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized source for Nigerian football news. This acquisition by North Star marks an exciting new chapter for our brand.”
Co-founder Lolade Adewuyi will continue to contribute to the site as a columnist, maintaining the brand’s strong connection with its loyal readership.
Expanding Global Reach
The acquisition of Soccernet.ng reinforces North Star Network’s dedication to amplifying local voices in key regions while offering unparalleled sports coverage. With its innovative strategies and growing portfolio, the group is poised to drive sustainable growth across its media brands.
North Star Network is a leading global sports media group, operating in over thirty countries and committed to delivering world-class sports content to fans worldwide.
This acquisition sets the stage for a new era in Nigerian sports journalism and highlights North Star Network’s continued efforts to connect fans to the heart of the game.
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Latest News
GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
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