The Gambling Related Harm group APPG has written to ITV and channel 5 asking them to consider suspending gambling advertising on daytime television.

The APPG said it was “very concerned” about sponsorship deals such as Gala Bingo’s sponsorship of the Australian soap opera Neighbours on Channel 5. “Gambling companies are sponsoring programmes which seek to glamorise gambling with the aim of targeting women and young people and encouraging them to gamble.

“We are very concerned that television companies are promoting gambling, we have ourselves seen first-hand the harm and devastation that gambling can cause to young people’s lives, families and communities.”

The cross-party group, which is headed up by Labour MP Carolyn Harris, has previously campaigned successfully for a ban on credit card bets and axing of fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).