London Councils Urge Mayor to Remove Gambling Advertising from Transport Network

Five London boroughs have formally called on the Mayor of London to remove advertisements for casinos and gambling websites from the capital’s transport network, arguing that such promotions contribute to social harm and addiction.

Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Hackney and Lewisham councils have joined the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), a campaign group seeking tighter restrictions on gambling promotion across public spaces. The councils are pressing for gambling adverts to be banned across the Underground and wider Transport for London estate.

The move has reignited criticism of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who pledged in his 2021 re-election manifesto to introduce restrictions on gambling advertising across London. Campaigners now claim that the mayor has failed to deliver on that commitment.

In response, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s office said the issue is currently under review by central government, which is examining wider reforms to gambling regulation, including the impact of advertising on consumers. The mayor’s office added that Sir Sadiq would consider further steps once the government’s findings have been published.

Concerns around gambling promotion have been underlined by data from the Gambling Commission, which estimates that more than one million people in the UK may be affected each year by the negative consequences of another person’s gambling. Campaigners argue that younger people are among the groups most vulnerable to harm, particularly through repeated exposure to advertising.

Tracy O’Shaughnessy of the charity GamLEARN, whose husband struggled with gambling addiction for more than three decades, said the councils’ action was an important acknowledgement of the damage caused by addiction.

“I know first-hand how quickly gambling harm tears through a life and a family,” she said.

“Seeing London councils push back against gambling advertising really matters - it recognises the reality that this addiction is real, it's destructive, and it shouldn't be promoted on our streets.”

The councils involved have said they hope their joint stance will prompt renewed political action, with a focus on reducing visibility of gambling marketing in everyday public