In the BMJ, 22nd February 2025, May van Schalkwyk analysis of the gambling industry was correct, she said, “governments must act to prevent large scale avoidable harm”. She compared the gambling industry now to the tobacco industry in the 1950s.
Public health advocates had a battle against the tobacco industry, working to mitigate its harmful effects through regulations, public awareness campaigns, and policy reforms. We face a similar challenge with the gambling industry.
The gambling industry profits from addiction and social harm. These are not the only health harming industries that place profits over world health, there are alcohol, fossil fuels, ultra-processed foods, chemicals and manufacturing, extractive, pharmaceutical and medical products that all use strategies such as casting doubt on the evidence of harm, prevent or delay policies that threaten commercial interests.
The tobacco industry is excluded from policy making and its marketing practices are regulated.
Gambling causes mental disorder, financial distress, family breakdown, child neglect, domestic violence and suicide. Yet the gambling industry is viewed as a legitimate partner in health policy making.
In 1954 the tobacco industry placed a statement, disputing the health harms that was published in over 400 US newspapers. This appears to be the beginning of the “campaign of denial”. It also funded scientific research through the Tobacco Industry Research Committee.
The tobacco industry’s campaign to undermine the science, public health harms and influence public health policy making continues to cost millions of lives.
The 2005 Gambling Act is the product of the gambling industry and is harmful. It shifted gambling to a legitimate leisure activity and an important part of the UK economy.
The Gambling Commission is funded by the gambling industry. This is responsible for compliance and social responsibility. It must consult with the industry for potential changes in legislation.
The industry claims that it is committed to education and protection, but independent analysis demonstrates that their own interests and profits are paramount.
As a result, there are few independent studies of public health interventions to prevent gambling harm. We are a long way off even starting to find how to intervene in gambling addiction, let alone commence on prevention, now the gambling industry has advertisements and campaigns selling its gambling sites.
One of the most effective measures against tobacco was restricting its advertising, particularly to young people. The gambling industry has enticing advertisements, often targeting vulnerable groups.
Tobacco control policies mandated warning labels and plain packaging to reduce the allure of smoking. A clear warning about addiction risks on betting apps, online platforms, and physical venues could be considered. Mandatory transparency about odds and losses could also help deter reckless gambling.
High tobacco taxes helped reduce smoking rates while funding public health initiatives. Applying similar taxes on gambling revenue could fund treatment programs, research on gambling harm, and public education campaigns. Governments should ensure that a significant portion of gambling profits is redirected toward harm reduction rather than industry expansion.
There should be funding of public health campaigns, independent of the industry, that highlight the risks of problem gambling. There should be investment in promoting responsible gambling practices, reducing the stigma associated with seeking help, and educating children and young adults about the dangers of gambling. There could be taxes for treatment and support services for problem gamblers, research into gambling harms, public awareness campaigns, and funding independent research organisations.
The accessibility of cigarettes was reduced through sales restrictions, including age verification and limits on retail locations. Gambling is accessible, with online platforms. Introducing stronger controls, such as affordability checks, deposit limits, time-out features, slower gameplay to reduce impulsive decisions, and restrictions on predatory practices like VIP schemes. Clear and prominent health warnings could help mitigate harm. There should be limits on advertising.
Tobacco companies were held legally accountable for misleading the public and causing harm. The gambling industry should face stricter regulations and potential liability for deceptive practices, failure to protect consumers, and the social costs of problem gambling.
Tobacco control efforts successfully reframed smoking from a glamorous habit to a dangerous addiction. Gambling is not harmless entertainment, but an activity with risks that require regulation and oversight. Public awareness campaigns can play a key role in changing attitudes.
The fight against tobacco-related harm has been long and complex, but it has yielded significant public health benefits. By applying the same strategies to gambling, we can reduce addiction rates, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure that industry profits do not come at the expense of public well-being.
Gambling harm is a serious public health issue and governments must implement the lessons learned from tobacco control to create a safer, healthier society.