Former Somerset head teacher calls for TV betting ads ban

11:10am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Phil Hill

David Dibb, who wants gambling adverts banned from television. David Dibb, who wants gambling adverts banned from television.

THE number of TV gambling adverts is getting out of hand and they should be banned, a former Somerset head teacher claims.

Dave Dibb says viewers are bombarded with adverts from betting companies during sports programmes.

He is calling for action after discovering a friend became hooked on gambling and squandered £5,000.

Mr Dibb, of Geoffrey Farrant Walk, Taunton, has written to Jeremy Browne MP about his concerns.

The former primary school head said: “It’s ridiculous – halfway through a Sky Sports match you’ll be told if you bet £10 on Berbatov scoring next, and he does, you’ll win £120.

“It sounds tempting, but if you win, you want more. If you lose, you try to recoup your losses and it gets out of control.

“It’s commonly accepted that gambling’s an addiction, the same as smoking or drinking, and during periods of recession depressed people are looking to escape these hard times through a quick fix solution via gambling.

“I’m certain there are multitudes of families whose lives have been ruined through gambling addiction.

“It’s such a serious epidemic it needs to be discussed in Parliament, and there can only be one sensible outcome – all TV advertising for gambling/betting should be banned with immediate effect.”

Mr Browne believes people should be free to spend their money how they wish and that betting on events like the Grand National is ‘harmless enjoyment for millions of people’, but he added:

“Gambling can in extreme cases cause genuine social harm.

“The gambling industry does take action to address serious addiction, but the Government routinely monitors carefully what power’s needed to safeguard against the most harmful gambling addiction.

“I’ll be raising Mr Dibb’s points with the Secretary of State to make sure his concerns are fully understood in Government.”

What do you think? Have your say by commenting below.

Comments(8)

MartinB58 says...
2:13pm Tue 12 Feb 13

I find myself agreeing with Mr Dibbs and if not banned, the advertising of gambling and the sponsorship of programs by gambling sites (including the bingo ones) should be pushed out to after the watershed. I am sure the commercial channels welcome the income they raise from the gambling sites but a lot of these sites (especially bingo ones) both advertise early in the day and sponsor programs that younger persons that can be more easily tempted watch.

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BaldCarl2 says...
2:51am Wed 13 Feb 13

Fools and their money are easily parted.

Legislation will never change that so don't bother trying.

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CarterMagna says...
1:09pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Wow. Just, wow.

I particularly like the use of multiple, reliable sources and studies with plenty of facts, figures and statistics that lend credence to the notion of a blanket ban of all gambling related advertising...

An anecdote is not evidence and "it is commonly accepted" is not acceptable for use in an argument.

Preaching from up on high is no way to get any sort of support for the sinners you're attempting to save. You're talking about grown men and women, not children, Headmaster.

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CarterMagna says...
1:14pm Wed 13 Feb 13

For the record, it does my nut in that we're bombarded with advertising and the bet in play ads are particularly insidious. I’ve just never been a fan of “It’s for your own good”. If something were to be done then there is a discussion to be had, not thou shalt not be tempted by tempting things and tempting shalt therefore be forbidden, etc etc.

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getitdone says...
2:46pm Wed 13 Feb 13

I completely agree with this.

The bingo websites advertising and sponsoring, should be moved to after the watershed because they have casinos within their websites, and that is how they are getting away with it. They want people to loose their money within their casino, not to play bingo, it is just a cover up.

The itv program Red or Black should never have been allowed to be aired, and what is even worse, they were sponsored by Wonga, they pay day loan company!

When people get heavily addicted to these websites and now wish to stop, they cant even turn on the television without having adverts and programs being sponsored by gambling websites, shoved in their faces. So gambling continues to be in their life, even when they decide enough is enough.

I truly hope something will be done.

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localmcnocal says...
2:19pm Fri 15 Feb 13

People need to take responsiblity for their own behaviour, and stop all this 'ban this, ban that' rubbish.

People with gambling addictions pass bookies on every high street, there are many gambling sites on line.

People have easy access to gambling, if its that much of a problem, perhaps it needs to be banned all together.

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Slow down! says...
9:21am Mon 18 Feb 13

Why don't we band the lottery from our TVs on a Saturday as well?

Has this guy got nothing better to do with his time? and why have the Gazette given him this opportunity to speak out?

I expect to be given the same amount of column inches on the following things that annoy me.

I thing we should get rid of at least half the MP's in parliament as there is far too many of them. Also at night why can't we have flashing amber on most sets of traffic lights so that you can proceed with caution, as it's pointless sitting waiting for a green light when there is nothing else on the road. Why are Boy racers allowed to play load music whilst driving as it isn't safe also why do cyclist wear earphones whilst riding?

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Slow down! says...
9:24am Mon 18 Feb 13

And another thing why can't we cull Badgers, they're nasty horrid things that spread diseases and they have no natural predators apart from man and his car.

Maybe we could make burgers out of them?

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