Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The Supreme Health Council calls for a total ban on gambling advertising, including the National Lottery’s products, citing concerns about the rising number of problem gamblers and the evasion of recent advertising restrictions.
The Supreme Health Council wants a “total ban” on gambling advertising, including on the “scandalously rich” products of the National Lottery. However, the National Lottery largely escaped a recent tightening of advertising on gambling. The minimum age must also be increased.
How Many Problem Gamblers Exist in the Country, According to Experts?
The Superior Health Council – consisting of experts who advise the federal government on health issues – makes no bones about it in its latest advice. Gambling is increasing in the country, which means we now have at least 400,000 problem gamblers, probably a serious underestimate.
The council is seriously concerned about a further increase, now that the Olympic Games, the Tour de France and the European Football Championship are just around the corner. “After the Football World Cup in 2022, we saw a doubling of the number of gamblers.”
What Measures Does the Supreme Health Council Propose to Curb Gambling?
The experts are therefore taking strong measures to curb gambling and the associated problems – from serious financial problems to a higher risk of suicide. “Advertising for gambling has recently been severely restricted. But the gambling sector appears to be very inventive, we still see gambling advertising popping up. We therefore advocate a clear and complete advertising ban, also with regard to National Lottery products,” said scientific expert Frieda Matthys, who contributed to the advice of the Supreme Health Council.
When parliament approved stricter advertising rules for gambling companies a few months ago, the National Lottery turned out to be largely exempt from them. This provoked strong criticism from opposition party N-VA, among others. “Why should different rules apply to a government company such as the National Lottery than to private gambling companies, knowing full well that many National Lottery products are in fact similar gambling products?” N-VA MP Tomas Roggeman wondered. “Isn’t it because the company provides a significant boost to the state treasury every year?” Roggeman will support the Supreme Health Council’s proposal for a complete advertising ban
