An SNP MP has called for action after it was revealed that links
to online gambling were found on the junior section of the
websites of three Scottish Premiership football clubs.
The BBC investigation found that 15 football clubs across the
Premier League, Championship, League One and Scottish
Premiership. Of the three Scottish Premiership clubs, the BBC
have reported that Celtic Football Club have since removed the
advertising.
The Advertising Standards Agency rules outline that gambling
adverts cannot be targeted at anyone under the age of 18.
SNP MP Ronnie Cowan has been a vocal opponent to Fixed Odds
Betting Terminals and recently successfully campaigned for
Hamley’s toy store to remove a one-armed bandit toy from its
shelves.
Commenting, said:
“Football clubs should be open and welcoming to young people;
they should not be exploiting their interest to promote gambling.
“It is truly remarkable that it has taken an investigation from
the a BBC for this issue to come to light.
“I have seen for myself the irreversible damage that gambling can
do to individuals and families in my work on the All-party
parliamentary group on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals and urge
these three Scottish Premiership teams to take urgent action and
remove these gambling adverts from the youth sections of their
websites.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
‘Betting links found on football clubs' junior fan pages’ -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45423065
‘MP's call for Hamley's to withdraw children's toy that
'normalises' gambling’ -
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16688045.mps-call-for-hamleys-to-withdraw-childrens-toy-that-normalises-gambling
‘Hamley's says it will remove "irresponsible" children's slot
machine toy’ -
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16691081.hamleys-says-it-will-remove-irresponsible-childrens-slot-machine-toy/
