This legislative initiative aims to protect citizens, especially young people, from the harmful influences of these types of advertisements.
Currently, in Romania, advertising for gambling and sports betting is ubiquitous. Everywhere you look, from huge billboards to online banners, messages promoting quick and easy winnings are impossible to avoid. Online advertising is even more aggressive, taking advantage of less strict regulations.
On television, sports betting ads are broadcast at any time of the day, with one exception: during sports competitions, these ads are even encouraged, providing a legal “loophole” for their airing in prime time.
These ads are often endorsed by celebrities or former athletes who constantly repeat how easy it is to win, fostering a false sense of security and financial opportunity among the audience. On platforms like YouTube, vloggers film themselves playing and always seem to hit the jackpot, creating the illusion that luck is accessible to everyone.
Gambling advertising is a subtle form of manipulation that promises quick and easy winnings, but in reality, it leads to the financial and social ruin of many people.
The proposed bill aims to protect public health and reduce the incidence among young people.
It is time for Romania to align with European standards and protect its citizens from these harmful practices.
In contrast, countries like the United Kingdom have recognized the dangers of gambling advertising and have banned sports or showbiz celebrities from promoting betting companies or gambling. Additionally, in 2021, Moldova banned all forms of gambling advertising, thus protecting the population from the harmful influences of this industry.
Recent events demonstrate that current legislation does not sufficiently protect vulnerable groups through public policies and support measures,” stated PSD viceleader Iulian Badea for Antena3.
Importance of banning advertising:
In Romania, there are no updated national statistics regarding the number of people affected by gambling addiction, except for a study conducted in 2016 and funded by the gambling industry. This lack of data complicates efforts to combat the issue and implement appropriate preventive measures.
These ads exploit individuals’ psychological vulnerabilities, inducing a false sense of financial opportunity and easily accessible success. Psychiatrists and mental health experts warn that at least 7 out of 10 people who try to quit gambling return to this habit, demonstrating how strong and devastating this addiction can be.
Similar measures adopted in other countries have already shown beneficial effects, reducing the number of people affected by gambling addiction and limiting access to these practices.
The legislative initiative of the young socialist deputy, Iulian Badea, represents an important step in the fight against gambling addiction in Romania. By banning advertising for these games, the aim is to protect citizens from negative influences and financial traps created by the gambling industry. The proposed bill is a firm but necessary measure to ensure the long-term health and well-being of the population.
Recently, the World Health Organization classified gambling addiction as an extremely serious mental illness. Coupled with the fact that the incidents caused by this addiction lead to loss of income, loss of jobs, family breakdown, or even suicides, I believe that this phenomenon must be regulated.
According to psychologists, young people are the most at risk. They cannot make a clear distinction between play, betting, and addiction. An important role in maintaining interest in gambling is represented by advertisements and marketing campaigns that have become increasingly aggressive in recent years, focusing primarily on young people,” commented PSD viceleader Iulian Badea.
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