This report examines the social and political factors that resulted in more stringent regulation of gambling marketing in Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia. The purpose was to compare policy approaches in these countries to the United Kingdom government's mostly self-regulatory approach. The study involved a review of the research and consultations with key researchers in the each country. In addition, the authors examine gambling marketing restrictions with marketing restrictions for tobacco, alcohol, and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Implications for Great Britain are discussed.
Findings include:
- All countries followed a similar path: an increase in gambling availability, which was followed by more people gambling and more gambling marketing, followed by an increase in the number of people gambling and the number of people who experienced gambling harm.
- Evidence showing an increase in gambling participation and harm was used to influence marketing legislation in each country. However, other factors also influenced the decision to intervene with more regulation.
- The United Kingdom is the country with the most research published on the increase in gambling participation and harm, as well as the fewest restrictions on gambling marketing.
