The Christian Institute – Gambling advertisements should be banned in sports, the Church of Scotland has said in a report published ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The report, titled Striving Together: Celebrating Competitiveness in Sport, also urges the Scottish and UK Governments to ban adverts for short-term loan companies who “charge exorbitant rates”. The Glasgow 2014 games, which involves athletes competing across 17 sports, will begin in July. Sponsors include a host of organisations such as John Lewis, Virgin Media and ScotRail. But Scottish football team Hearts is sponsored by payday loan company Wonga and Rangers are set to receive…

The Church of Scotland has called for a gambling adverts ban, as well as a ban for pay-day loan companies marketing. The “normalization” of gambling has had a “damaging effect on the lives of thousands” across the country, a report from the Church’s society council said. It has been published ahead of the Commonwealth Games and calls for a lasting legacy from the sporting events, particularly for deprived areas. Glasgow 2014 has no such sponsors but Scottish Premiership side Hearts are sponsored by Wonga, while Rangers recently announced a new shirt sponsorship with online casino 32Red. Both would be in…