Haringey Council has become the first in the UK to join the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA) in its national campaign.
The borough has acted in an effort to increase pressure on the government to restrict gambling advertising and its detrimental impact on individuals and families.
An estimated 8,000 residents in Haringey are affected by gambling-related harms and the council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, Councillor Lucia das Neves, outlined why they had taken this decision.
Cllr Das Neves said: “We are doing everything in our power to stop the negative impact this has on thousands of people.”
“The fact that we are the first council the country to push for an end to gambling advertising shows how seriously we take this issue as a borough.”
CEGA is a group of organisations committed to reducing harm by preventing gambling from being promoted.
Resident Hakim Rahman described how he is worried about his two children aged 14 and 16, who walk by gambling advertisements daily.
He said: “I have seen an increase in antisocial behaviour in the town centre, I think gambling definitely plays a role.”
According to Haringey Council figures, over 25,000 people in the borough are indirectly affected by gambling harms.
The borough also loses over £8million annually in costs such as homelessness, NHS care, unpaid rents, and adult social care.
The council encouraged others to take similar steps towards community-driven solutions to end gambling advertisements.
CEGA director Will Prochaska praised the efforts of the community to support individuals, including its early intervention schemes in schools and debt assistance programmes funded by Haringey Deal.
He added: “Councils don’t have adequate powers to protect their citizens from the predatory gambling industry, but they do have a powerful voice nationally.
“It’s important now that more councils follow Haringey’s lead.”
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