Betting firms could use GPS to tempt vulnerable gamblers

GAMBLING firms could use GPS to target “vulnerable” customers with offers, experts have warned.

Firms could use location services to link a customer with ongoing events, raising the prospect of football match attendees being encouraged to bet on a game they are watching.

Marc Etches, the CEO of Gambleaware, warned that firms had the ability “to collect significant amounts of customer data, including... location”. He said more must be done to “tackle unacceptable marketing and advertising”.

Prof Mark Griffiths, of Nottingham Trent University, said that he had “no doubt that such a practice exists and is being used”, having predicted it 11 years ago.