The Church of England has warned of a growing “moral crisis” as children and young people are being exposed to a deluge of gambling adverts.
The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, said society would reap a “terrible harvest” as gambling is being “normalised” for children.
It comes as two in three teenagers say they feel bombarded by TV betting adverts.
‘Extraordinary levels’
Responding to the Government’s recent consultation on gambling, a CofE statement said it was concerned by the growing number of gambling adverts on TV.
It said the current exception – which allows gambling advertising to be shown before the watershed during live sports broadcasts or for bingo.
Rt Revd Smith said: “There’s lots of evidence that young people are seeing extraordinary levels of advertising which is normalising and socialising gambling.
“I think that is a moral issue, one which we as a society need to stand back and reflect about.”
Bombarded
The Bishop also said that the exemption for gambling adverts during sporting events was “an anomaly that needs to be closed”.
A study commissioned by Conservative Peer Lord Chadlington found 65 per cent of teenagers say TV channels carry too much gambling advertising.
Only one in four 14 to 18-year-olds thought such adverts carry enough warnings about the dangers of becoming addicted, while almost half think the adverts make gambling look like a good way to earn money.
Normal
Lord Chadlington said: “The Government should ban all gambling advertising during sporting events. It must ensure that both online and offline, the use of sporting celebrities to promote gambling should be stopped.
“Gambling must not be normalised amongst the young. You can enjoy sport as sport – you do not need gambling to make it fun.’
In Australia, which until recently had some of the most liberal gambling laws in the world, all gambling advertising in live sport is now banned before the watershed.