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Haringey Council has made history by becoming the first local authority in the UK to join the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA). The North London borough has pledged its support to ban gambling advertising nationwide, aiming to reduce gambling-related harm and protect its residents.
Council data estimates that 8,000 people in Haringey are affected by gambling harm, costing the borough over £8 million annually in associated harm-related expenses. By signing up for the campaign, the council seeks to pressure the UK Government into restricting gambling promotions across all platforms.
Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care & Wellbeing, Cllr Lucia das Neves, emphasised the borough’s commitment to tackling gambling harm.
“We are committed to protecting the wellbeing of our community, and we share the concerns of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads regarding the proliferation of gambling ads.
“The fact that we are the first council in the country to push for an end to gambling advertising shows how seriously we take this issue as a borough, and we are doing everything in our power to stop the negative impact this has on thousands of people.”
Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Ajda Ovat, highlighted the council’s proactive approach in limiting gambling ads within its own outlets and urged other councils to take similar action.
“The steps we have already taken to limit gambling advertising on our own outlets reflect our dedication to this cause. We want to protect our communities and the impact that gambling can have on so many people, not just in Haringey but across the country.
“We recognise the need for further collaboration to address gambling harm on a larger scale and hope many other councils will follow in our footsteps and bring about much needed change.”
The Coalition to End Gambling Ads welcomed Haringey Council’s decision, calling it an important step in tackling the gambling industry’s influence. Will Prochaska, CEGA Director, praised the borough’s leadership on the issue.
“Haringey’s stand as the first council in the country to join CEGA and call for an end to gambling ads nationally should be applauded.
“Councils don’t have adequate powers to protect their citizens from the predatory gambling industry, but they do have a powerful voice nationally. It’s important now that more councils follow Haringey’s lead.”
This move comes as political pressure on gambling regulations increases across the UK. The Liberal Democrats recently urged the government to take further action, following the approval of online slot stake limits and a new statutory levy aimed at addressing gambling harm.
Of course, Haringey itself, as one of the councils, made it a huge landmark in the fight by the council towards gambling harm. It might encourage other councils to do the same and urge further regulations on gaming advertisements.