The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for urgent and coordinated global action to mitigate harms associated with gambling, warning that the industry’s rapid expansion poses significant threats to public health and societal well-being. In its latest fact sheet on gambling, the WHO underlined the need for comprehensive and population-wide interventions to prevent and reduce gambling harms.

It described banning advertising, sponsorship, and promotions as a necessary first step in tackling the problem.

The organization also advocated for stronger regulatory measures, including universal registration systems requiring binding loss limits and stricter controls on gambling products and availability.

The WHO highlighted the prevalence of gambling disorders, which affect an estimated 1.2% of the world’s adult population, and warned of the broader societal harms stemming from gambling.