A dozen public health experts have accused gambling companies of replicating the tactics of big tobacco by funding research into the harms they cause while lobbying governments to soften regulation.

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The academics have co-written an editorial, published in the journal Health Promotion International, urging governments to approach wagering companies in the same way they deal with the tobacco industry, due to harms associated with gambling addiction.

“The commercial gambling industry operates from a similar playbook to other health-harming industries, such as tobacco and alcohol,” the journal article said.

“This involves delaying and circumventing regulation, developing innovative products and promotions, appealing to new markets, co-opting the production of research and knowledge and capturing ‘public health’ responses through corporate political activities.”