Euro 2020 Gambling Ad Suspension – Big Step Campaign Ahead

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If you are a sports lover or someone who likes to gamble from time to time, you probably know this: the UEFA European Football Championship is coming up this summer! The event is of great interest among many groups and includes several businesses, such as the gambling business. Especially, that they are considering an overall ad suspension during Euro 2020.

There are many arguments for and against gambling ads. People can see these ads everywhere. They are there, when you watch a tennis match when you enjoy a football game or a Formula 1 race – and so on. Not to mention online gambling sites in the UK, such as Bet365! Also, on the side of the sports fields, on the t-shirts of athletes – you can see them basically all the time. So much, that you probably do not even recognize them anymore. However, they do bother several charities, interest groups, and other organizations. And as a result of that the gambling ad suspension at sports events – like the Euro 2020 – is on the table right now. It is even more stressed now, in the case of the UEFA Championship, since it is coming up very soon.

The Big Step

As SBC News reported, there is a group of 60 gambling law reform advocates that have joined the ongoing Big Step campaign lately. You may ask what this campaign is about. According to their website, “The Big Step is a campaign project formed and run by people who have suffered gambling harm. We are part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by bereaved family members and friends who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide.” And their mission is the following: “Together, we advocate for a public health approach to preventing gambling harms, which would include an end to all gambling promotion, especially in football. Take a look at our events, media, and blog pages to find out how we do this.” So, you can already see how they get involved in the gambling ad suspension at the Euro 2020.

Here is a plan for gambling ad suspension at the Euro 2020

So, the above-mentioned advocates are now backing the Big Step up, and they have one common goal. To ban all ads during the UEFA European Football Championship in 2021. Leaders of the campaign already have a plan to do so. They detailed their suggestions in a letter that they addressed to several broadcasters and media outlets. They included: ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Stakhanov, Sky Sports, TalkSPORT, Global Radio, Acast, and BT Sport.

The letter says: “Whilst we support adults’ right to bet should they wish, gambling advertising has no public health benefit and contributes to harm, yet it is nearly impossible to watch or listen to football without being exposed to it.” And this is why people, who are regularly using online sportsbook sites in the UK should always look after themselves! If you are a gambler yourself, you only have to follow some basic requirements. For example, you should never risk more money than you can afford to lose. Also: you should never forget what gambling really is. It is a fun, exciting way to spend some free time on. But it is never a promise to a win – it is only a slight possibility. However, if you keep these in mind, you will just be fine scrolling through sites like Bet365!

Euro 2020: gambling ad suspension on the horizon

So far, the letter several parties signed the letter, such as survivors of gambling-related harm and politicians. Carolyn Harris MP and Ronnie Cowan MP. Also, the Chair and Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling Related Harm – just to mention a few. But there are several other supporters, like Paul Blomfield, Mark Menzies, Christina Marriott, Louisa Mason, and Stuart McDonald. The initiative is also supported by notable clubs, League Two side Forest Green Rovers FC, Tranmere Rovers FC, and Billericay Town FC. It means that so far, it is a well-supported initiation. Also, that Big Step is taking huge steps (pun intended) to realize it. But so far, we cannot jump to conclusions when it comes to gambling ad ban at the Euro 2020. We are going to have to wait for what the next couple of weeks bring.

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