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There has also been a surge in gambling-related ads in all media since sports betting was legalized in several jurisdictions and online gambling increased.Gambling advertisements are harmful in part because they not only promote consumption habits but also have an impact on how people perceive what is normal. 

How Gambling Advertisements Work

The aim of gambling ad networks is to persuade viewers to start or increase their gambling. The gaming sector is very competitive, and gambling websites must maintain their operations just like any other business.

To put sports betting in front of a sizable audience, online sportsbooks like DraftKings, Caesars, and FanDuel are investing hundreds of millions of dollars on marketing. People may start gambling with only the click of a button at online sportsbooks and casinos, which make it as simple as possible for them to partake. 

Gambling advertisements provide gambling as beautiful and winning as attainable. Advertisements for sports betting make the gambler appear cool and popular in front of their pals.

Lottery advertising sometimes depict common individuals winning millions of dollars in order to give the viewer the impression that they might have easily been that person. In reality, lottery advertising is successfully convincing individuals that gambling is common and acceptable in society.

These businesses craft their taglines for their advertisements with the goal of enticing the spectator to place a wager. DraftKings's advertising catchphrase, "There's room for you in the land of the millionaire," suggests that sports betting may make you a millionaire.

Who is Affected by Gambling Ads?

Vulnerable Adults

For a number of reasons, including the fact that they especially target individuals who are most vulnerable to gambling commercials, the ubiquity of gambling ad networks in the media is problematic. For instance, it is more probable that advertisements for sports betting will be displayed to persons who express interest in gambling-related topics, such as sports.

Studies have also revealed that those who have gambling issues report being exposed to and affected by gambling advertisements more frequently. After a player puts a wager online, betting businesses gather information about the user's behavior and customize offers for that particular player. 

Children

Even though the majority of gambling ad networks are made with adults in mind, kids and teenagers frequently find them more engaging, particularly if they are promoting esports (online gaming). A person is more likely to have a negative connection with gambling the earlier in life they begin gambling. 

Our society has made gambling so commonplace that children are exposed to it at a very young age and develop the misconception that it is a harmless pastime. 96% of those between the ages of 11 and 24 who had received gambling marketing messages in the previous month were more inclined to wager as a result, according to Ipsos Mori and University of Stirling researchers.

According to the inference, "regular exposure to gambling promotions can change perceptions and associations of gambling over time and impact the likelihood that they will gamble in the future." 

The normalization of gambling knowledge and education is necessary to counteract the normalization of gambling advertisements. Although gambling concerns are rarely discussed in schools, children are frequently taught about the risks of using drugs and alcohol. 

Recovering Problem Gamblers

Ads for casinos can also be a trigger for those who are trying to kick their gambling addiction. A recovering gambler may start to wonder why they stopped gambling in the first place after seeing advertisements that portray it as a joyful, carefree hobby.

UK Gambling Ad Regulations Updated

A new regulation regarding gambling commercials has been put in place by the UK's Committee for Advertising Practice and will take effect on October 1st. According to the new regulations, advertisements for lotteries and gaming cannot "be likely to be of strong appeal to children or young persons, especially by reflecting or being associated with young people's culture. These rules were created to restrict these commercials from especially targeting children and to start addressing adults. 

The Gambling Act of 2005 is now being reviewed by the British government, which may lead to changes in gambling advertising, such as the prohibition of online betting business emblems on Premier League football uniforms.

Will the elimination of gambling adverts fix the problem? No, a lot of individuals will continue to gamble whether or not they are exposed to advertisements; but, the elimination of gambling advertisements will assist safeguard the weak, such as youngsters and those who are recovering from gambling addiction. 

How to Protect Yourself From Gambling Ads

There are steps you can take on social media to stop seeing these sorts of commercials, even though there isn't much you can do about advertisements on billboards or TV.

1. You may ban accounts associated with gambling companies on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
2. Select "hide" to hide gambling-related sponsored posts. These applications will keep track of your preferences and show you less of these adverts going forward.
3. You may deselect hobbies on Twitter, like sports, that might be connected to gambling. 

Keep in mind that these applications seek to show you adverts that you will find interesting. They should cease showing up in your feed if you are very clear that you are not interested in these kinds of advertisements. 

We strongly advise you to get professional assistance as soon as possible, before the issue worsens, if you believe that you or a loved one may be developing a problematic connection with gambling. For more than 30 years, Algamus Gambling Treatment Services has been treating gambling addiction and the linked underlying problems. 

Our therapy program is tailored specifically to help gamblers overcome their addictive tendencies and learn how to live the life they desire. Speak to one of our gambling ad network counselors or post a comment below if you're interested in learning more.