London Mayor urged to fulfill pledge of banning gambling ads on transport network

London Mayor Sadiq Khan faces mounting pressure to fulfill his pledge of banning gambling advertisements from the Transport for London (TfL) network, a promise made in his 2021 election manifesto.

The call for action comes amid concerns over the adverse impact of gambling addiction on individuals and families. Despite Khan's commitment to the ban, no concrete measures have been implemented thus far.

A recent cross-party report from the London Assembly's health committee underscores the urgency of addressing this issue, labeling it a "crucial area" where the mayor could enact meaningful change.

According to Dr. Tom Coffey, health advisor to Sadiq Khan, a ban has been held up because City Hall could be subject to legal challenge if it introduced restrictions based on its definition of ‘harmful gambling’. City Hall seeks a clear definition of this term from the government and public health partners to mitigate potential legal risks.

Once that definition is published, Dr. Coffey said his team “will move as swiftly as possible," as reported by The Standard. He added: “What I do not think you would want me to do is do something that would cost millions in legal challenges and not move the dial one little bit.”

In response to inquiries about advancing the ban, Mayor Khan indicated that the Greater London Authority (GLA) is conducting research into the matter, suggesting a review of the area is underway.

The call for action follows a 2022 commission by Mayor Khan, tasking researchers from Sheffield and Glasgow universities to assess the health impacts of gambling adverts. While acknowledging some limitations in the evidence, the review concluded that a ban could mitigate overall harm and address gambling-related inequalities.

Bristol City Council set a precedent in November 2021 by banning gambling advertisements across council-owned spaces, aligning with efforts to mitigate public health risks associated with products like unhealthy food and drink, alcohol, and payday loans.

Dr. Onkar Sahota, the committee's Labour chair, said: “It is deeply concerning to hear that London’s rate of ‘problem gambling’ is almost twice the average seen across Britain, and that Londoners are more likely to be negatively impacted by someone else’s gambling. This includes families and children.”

In response, a spokesman for the Betting and Gaming Council highlighted the industry's contributions to London's economy and emphasized adherence to strict guidelines for gambling advertising. 

“Betting advertising and sponsorship must comply with strict guidelines and safer gambling messaging is regularly and prominently displayed. The Government has previously stated research did not establish a causal link between exposure to advertising and the development of problem gambling," the body said.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, TfL received £663,640 ($844,661) in revenue from gambling adverts.