3. The framing of commercial determinants of harm: challenges for regulation in the UK

This presentation argues that the framing of gambling is crucial for how it is dealt with at every level; from legislative, regulatory and commercial practice to the terms of media and civic debate. Whoever frames the debate has power over the ways that we can and cannot think about gambling, as well as what we can do about it..

We take the example of Britain as a case study in which, despite recent repeated calls for gambling to be regarded as a public health issue, it continues to be framed primarily in terms of economic activity and consumerism. We argue that this framing is the product of a particular politicaleconomic model and that it is embedded in legislation and regulatory practice. We go on to describe the commercial landscape of gambling that has been produced by this framework as one which produces harm..

We make the point that framing is a key component of the commercial determinants of harm in gambling..

The final section of our presentation considers the various forms of political and commercial influence that infiltrate and shape the framing of gambling in Britain