The whistle-to-whistle ban
The 'whistle-to-whistle' ban is a voluntary commitment by UK gambling operators that prohibits TV betting adverts during and immediately around live sport broadcast before the 9pm watershed. It took effect on 1 August 2019 and covers the window from five minutes before a live event starts until five minutes after it finishes. Horse racing and greyhound racing are exempt. The aim is to sharply reduce children's exposure to betting advertising during sport.
Took effect on 1 August 2019 as a voluntary, self-regulatory industry code - not a statutory law.
Bans TV betting ads from 5 minutes before an event starts until 5 minutes after it ends, for live sport broadcast before the 9pm watershed.
Introduced through the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) advertising code and now overseen by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC).
Horse racing and greyhound racing are excluded from the ban.
Industry-cited analysis reports roughly a 97% cut in betting ads seen by children during the whistle-to-whistle window, and about a 70% fall across full live-sport programming.
Operators and their media and affiliate partners must schedule TV betting creative to avoid the whistle-to-whistle window around pre-watershed live sport (other than horse and greyhound racing). Compliance is self-regulatory and monitored by the BGC rather than a licensing condition.
Reference, not advice. A teaching summary of the advertising rules — confirm current requirements with the regulator and the relevant ad platform.