Learning Lessons? The British Experimentation with the Liberalisation of Gambling

Dr. Heather Wardle, Ph.D., will discuss how Great Britain has one of the most liberal regimes for gambling in the world, where both online gambling (including in-play betting, online casino games/slots/poker) and a variety of land-based forms of gambling are available. In 2007, the Gambling Act 2005 was fully enacted which aimed to promote gambling as a valid leisure activity and allowed gambling to be advertised and marketed fully for the first time. This class looks at what the impact of this has been and draws out lessons for places who are starting now to go through the same process.

Price: Free

Credit

1.5 CE

Prerequisite

None

Classification

None

Recommended for

Mental Health Professionals

Class Instructor

Dr. Heather Wardle

Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

  • Understand two major shifts in British culture resulting from of the liberalization of gambling
  • Learn a major, recent regulatory change to reduce the social impact of marketing and advertising
  • Examine the relationship between marketing and profits in Britain’s gambling industry

Outline

  • The growth of gambling in Britain – 20 minutes
  • The economics of the Gambling industry – 20 minutes
  • Advertising, sponsorship and marketing – key lessons – 20 minutes
  • The globalization of gambling – 15 minutes
  • Implications for policy and practice – 15 minutes

Educational Goals

  • Understand the historical and recent growth of the gambling industry in Britain, including regulatory changes and public engagement.
  • Analyze the economic models of the gambling industry, with a focus on reliance on high-risk gamblers and potential societal impacts.
  • Explore the role of advertising, sponsorship, and marketing, and their influence on gambling behaviors, particularly among vulnerable populations.
  • Examine the globalization of gambling, including the integration of sports, esports, and online platforms, and its implications for international markets.
  • Identify key policy and practice recommendations to mitigate harms while balancing industry growth and public health concerns.

Class Content