The UK gambling industry is under scrutiny in a new study published in the BMJ, which reveals striking similarities between the tactics employed by the gambling industry and those used by Big Tobacco to downplay the harms of their products and influence policy. The study, conducted by experts from various universities including the University of Bath and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, highlights the need for urgent action to protect public health.
The study found that the gambling industry, much like Big Tobacco in the past, has been emphasizing the benefits of their products while downplaying the harms. They have also been portraying themselves as socially responsible businesses, all in an effort to avoid stricter regulation. The authors of the study stress the importance of recognizing the gambling industry as a vector of harm and implementing measures to restrict its influence and marketing.
Dr. May van Schalkwyk, the lead author of the study, emphasized the need for effective measures to prevent gambling harm, stating that without such measures, prevention will remain unachievable. Professor Anna Gilmore, another researcher involved in the study, noted the similarities between the tactics of the gambling industry and those of Big Tobacco, highlighting the need for stronger policies to prevent further harm.
The study points out that the ineffective regulation of gambling in the UK has led to serious harm, including financial distress, family breakdown, and even suicide. The failure to learn from the deceptive strategies of Big Tobacco has allowed the gambling industry to flourish, despite the harm it causes. The authors argue that without stronger policies, the industry will continue to mislead the public and block regulation and oversight.
In particular, the study draws parallels between the gambling industry’s response to concerns about gambling harms and the notorious “Frank statement” issued by the tobacco industry in 1954 denying the link between smoking and disease. The authors stress the importance of learning from past mistakes to prevent further harm.
The study calls for urgent action, including stronger regulation to limit the gambling industry’s influence over policy and research, stricter controls on gambling advertising similar to tobacco restrictions, and the recognition of the gambling industry as a harmful industry in urgent need of effective regulation.
For more information on the study, you can refer to the article published in the BMJ. The findings of this study highlight the need for immediate action to address the deceptive tactics employed by the gambling industry and protect public health. It is crucial to learn from the mistakes of the past and implement stronger policies to prevent further harm.
