Overview

• Researchers from the University of Bristol counted 29,145 gambling messages across TV, radio, and social media during the Premier League's opening weekend.
• This represents a 165% increase from last year, with the West Ham United vs. Aston Villa match alone featuring 6,491 gambling messages.
• The study criticizes the gambling industry's self-regulation efforts, highlighting that recent codes of conduct have failed to reduce advertising volume.
• Experts and politicians, including former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, are calling for immediate government intervention to protect vulnerable audiences, especially children.
• The Betting and Gaming Council disputes the findings, arguing that existing regulations and safer gambling messages are sufficient, but critics demand stricter enforcement.