Laws closely regulate gambling and prevent certain types of advertisements.
Many laws govern gambling advertisements and impose limitations on them. Like ads for tobacco and liquor, gambling ads must only promote responsible use. Like all ads, gambling ads should not misrepresent or glamorize gambling. Also, gambling ads may not advertise illegal activity. Laws vary from state to state and country to country depending on local or national laws. Ads for the same gambling institutions are often very different depending on location.
Restrictions
In the European Union, Canada, the United States and other major countries, all gambling ads must contain information for problem or compulsive gambling. These often include website addresses and/or phone numbers. Gambling ads may not promote to children or underage gamblers. Any information about payouts or prizes must not be misleading or incorrect.
National and State Lotteries
While gambling ads should not mislead, misinform or glamorize gambling, state and national lotteries are taking heat for advertising that emphasizes instant gratification over earning money. According to the National Gambling Impact Study, lotteries in Texas and New York City removed ads due to their implication that winning was as probable as common events.
Online Gambling Advertisements
Online gambling companies buy a large chunk of online ads, but some major websites are cutting back on their gambling ads due to the questionable legal status of the online gaming sites. Google famously stopped accepting online gambling ads for a time, but is slowly showing them again in a more limited manner.
Freedom of Speech
A common misconception is that gambling advertisements have protection under freedom of speech or freedom of the press. In almost every country, though, it is illegal to advertise illegal things. Therefore, anywhere gambling or forms of it are illegal, advertising gambling is illegal, too.
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