UK ministers face increased pressure to restrict gambling ads

Polling indicates strong public backing for a much less permissive approach to promotion, including sponsorship

Ministers will come under mounting pressure to introduce curbs on gambling advertising this year, as MPs and campaigners latch on to polling that indicates widespread public support for tougher restrictions.

Policies affecting gambling have been the subject of fierce debate over recent years, leading to stricter regulation of the 12.5bn-a-year sector and higher taxes announced in November's budget, despite intensive lobbying by the industry.