Public transportation users in London advocate for prohibiting gambling promotions
In the realm of gambling regulations, two European nations, the UK and Germany, are taking different paths to protect their citizens, particularly the youth.
While Germany allows gambling advertising, it is subject to strict regulations. Sports betting advertising can be shown around the clock, but no online sports betting clips can be shown during live broadcasts or immediately before the start of a game. Advertisements must have an informative character and not encourage participation in gambling. Moreover, gambling advertising on TV is prohibited between 06:00 and 21:00, and must contain mandatory warnings.
However, in contrast to the UK, no significant, widely publicized movement demanding a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising purely for youth protection has gained momentum in Germany. The focus is more on compliance and responsible gambling standards.
In the UK, the landscape is markedly different. Political efforts, led by parties such as the Liberal Democrats, aim to prevent clubs and competitions from engaging in gambling advertising or sponsorship. This reflects heightened parliamentary attention to gambling marketing and youth protection. Experts have emphasized the need for structural reforms to shield policies from gambling industry influence, stating that current government responses remain too lenient despite substantial evidence linking gambling advertising to increased youth exposure and harm.
The UK government is also taking steps to regulate advertising of other potentially harmful products. For instance, advertising restrictions on less healthy food products were implemented on October 1, 2025, signalling a trend towards more proactive government regulation of marketing influencing youth behaviour.
In terms of responsible gambling and protections for minors, UK gambling operators are required to implement strict social responsibility measures, including age verification and behavioural monitoring to prevent underage gambling and minimize harm. However, a recent report by the UK Gambling Commission indicates that over a quarter of young people in the UK had gambled in the last year, underscoring ongoing challenges.
The relevant authority in London has expressed frustration over the lack of a clear definition of harmful gambling. This is crucial, as a clear definition is urgently needed to initiate appropriate measures to combat harmful gambling, which could include a possible advertising ban in public transport.
In Germany, Burkhard Blienert, the Federal Drug Commissioner, called for a complete advertising ban for online sports betting during the 2024 European Championship. Moreover, a majority of the German population supports a ban on gambling advertising.
Despite these calls, the movement for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising in Germany is less developed compared to the UK. This reflects different stages and intensities of advocacy and policymaking around gambling advertising in the two regions as of mid-2025. Online casino advertising in Germany is subject to special regulations.
In conclusion, while both the UK and Germany are working towards responsible gambling, their approaches to advertising regulations differ significantly. The UK is seeing substantial political and expert-driven momentum towards banning or severely restricting gambling advertising to protect youth, while in Germany, the movement is less developed, focusing more on regulatory compliance than an activist or parliamentary push for outright bans on gambling advertising targeting youth.
- In Germany, unlike the UK, a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising for youth protection has not gained substantial momentum, focusing instead on adherence to responsible gambling standards and regulations for online casinos.
- While sports betting advertising can be shown around the clock in Germany, it is subject to strict regulations, prohibiting the display of online betting clips during live broadcasts or before games, and mandating informative content that does not encourage gambling.
- On the other hand, the UK political landscape is marked by efforts to ban clubs and competitions from engaging in gambling advertising or sponsorship, signaling a more proactive approach to protecting youth from gambling marketing compared to Germany.
