The Liberal Democrats have challenged the Senet Group’s ‘When The Fun Stops, Stop‘ campaign, calling for it to be scrapped in a bid to ‘overhaul’ the industry’s approach to responsible gambling.
The centrist party claims that the Senet campaign could be ‘exacerbating the national gambling crisis’, and has called for further scrutiny into the methods used to combat the issue.
Addressing the matter, former LibDem MP John Leech has stressed that the gambling industry must offer additional support to those at risk of problem gambling behaviours. He explained: “It is becoming increasingly clear that children’s wellbeing is also being threatened by the gambling addictions of adults around them.
“These same children tune in to sporting events which are then bombarded by sinister gambling adverts – if not overtly, through sponsorship deals.
“Lib Dems will continue our work to overhaul the gambling industry by tackling adverts, online betting which encourages ‘penny to pound gambling’ and marketing.”
Leech, who currently sits as the Leader of the Opposition for Manchester City Council, had previously served as the Liberal Democrat lead on Culture, Media and Sports during the Coalition Government, and was a key figurehead in the campaign to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2.
His statement comes as the House of Lords Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry has carried out a review into the social and economic impact of the gambling industry.
“There is now enough proof that the crass ‘When The Fun Stops, Stop’ slogan is not working, and it could be exacerbating the national gambling crisis. It’s time to scrap the slogan because let’s be honest, by the time ‘the fun stops’, you are already dangerously addicted.
“I very much welcome renewed scrutiny in the House of Lords today but both Houses have a responsibility to disregard any vested interests and work towards a bold solution.”