Curbs plan for TV gambling adverts puts bookies on back foot

Bookies were on the back foot on Thursday as a ban on betting adverts during live sporting events moved closer.

The explosion of “in-play” sports betting has boosted the bottom line of leading bookmakers.

But the proliferation of advertising around matches, often promoted by celebrities like Ray Winstone, left, on behalf of Bet365, has led to political concerns over problem gambling and encouraging children to bet.

The Remote Gambling Association’s Brian Wright said the group’s members were “not averse” to a “whistle-to-whistle” ban on advertising, although no formal agreement has been struck.

Traders took the news as a signal to sell, with William Hill down 4%, or 6.8p, to 155.9p.

The owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, GVC Holdings, also lost 4%, or 25.5p, to 697p while broadcaster ITV sank 2%, or 2.8p, to 135.5p.

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport secretary Jeremy Wright MP, said: “Welcome move from gambling firms today on advertising ban during live sport. Pleased to see industry responding to concerns raised and helping to protect children and vulnerable people from risks of gambling related harm