Food Labels and Gambling Ads Under New Scrutiny, but in Diverging Ways
09 November 2026
Intensifying health concerns are driving stricter food labeling globally, while online gambling ads face increased regulation to protect vulnerable consumers and prevent cross-border advertising.
In the European Union, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information mandates that all information on food must be true, accurate and not confusing for consumers. EU officials note food labels empower consumers to make informed choices but acknowledge gaps in monitoring and reporting. Tighter food-labeling rules are also seen in the U.S., where class-action lawsuits argue labels mislead consumers about ingredients like heavy metals.
Regulators are scrutinizing front-of-package interpretive labels, including those depicting whole products, for potential First Amendment issues. A 2024 Spanish law introduced "gambling addiction is a risk of gambling" on all promotional materials and websites, likening online gambling to tobacco. The industry trade group JDigital called that characterization a "deeply concerning" overreaction and stigmatization of responsible gambling activities.
In Ohio, a proposed rule bars online casinos from marketing to patrons within 48 hours of them activating responsible-gaming tools. Industry analysts expect US regulators to review gambling advertising closely in 2025 to prevent underage gamblers from being misled by digital promotions. Meanwhile, in Europe, regulators have identified unlicensed cross-border online gambling advertising on major online platforms, raising concerns about consumer protection in the region.
Labeling and advertising regulations are increasing for both packaged food and online gambling, but public health and consumer safety drive these changes in differing ways depending on the jurisdiction.
Moreover, in 2025, Ohio's Casino Control Commission proposed a 48-hour ban on advertising to gamblers who recently enabled responsible gaming tools. This follows recent US gambling industry scandals involving failure to stop underage players. Regulators globally are challenging online casino ads, concerned they're targeting vulnerable individuals.
More on this is available via read more on Casino Reporters.
In the EU, a report by the industry oversight group VNLOK noted unlicensed gambling ads crossing borders via major platforms. Those paid ads promoted gambling services in countries where that operator lacked authorization. The digital nature of gambling advertising makes it harder to monitor than traditional advertising.
Who Bears the Compliance Costs That Stringent Labels and Ad Rules Bring?
Evolving food-label and gambling-ad rules will largely impact private, for-profit businesses. JDigital described its members as experiencing revenue losses from the Spanish government’s strict new online gambling ad warnings and labels they see as an overreaction. In the US, food labels must convey extensive information or risk First Amendment litigation. Label and ad revisions require legal spend and may deter premium customers.
Here, the costs weigh more heavily on companies in every sector — not just on businesses seeking pure financial gain, though those will feel the shift most. Whatever the intent, greater information and advertising regulation carries compliance obligations for the mainstream. Regulators in the EU and Spain see these costs as justified by the risks to consumers.
There are still many unknowns, such as what information will finally satisfy regulators, how long the new requirements will last, and if enforcement will add more costs down the line. But the trend is clear: the regulatory tempo on labels and ads will keep increasing. Companies in the food and gambling industries should stay alert for new compliance obligations locally and internationally, while broader businesses must do the same for their customer-facing materials.