The local authority is the first to join the Coalition to End Gambling Ads

Gambling harms event (credit Haringey Council)

Haringey has become the first council in the UK to join the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (Cega).

The signing puts pressure on the UK government to restrict gambling advertising and the “negative influence” this can have on individuals and their families.

The council points to research showing there are as many as 8,000 people experiencing gambling harms in Haringey. Another 25,000 people are said to be affected more widely by these harms, such as family and friends.

It is also estimated that gambling harms lose the borough over £8million in associated harm-related costs every year. These include costs associated with homelessness, adult social care, NHS costs, unpaid rents, and more.

Cega is a group of organisations committed to reducing gambling harm by stopping this issue from being promoted.

Lucia das Neves, the council’s cabinet member for health, social care and wellbeing, said: “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 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.”

Haringey already bans gambling advertising on any of the sites over which it has direct control, a ban brought in six years ago.

Will Prochaska, director of Cega, said: “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.”

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