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British actor Christopher Eccleston has lent his voice to the growing movement calling for an end to gambling advertising in the UK, weaving in subtle nods to Doctor Who along the way.
The 61-year-old appears in a new public service short film titled Stacking the Deck, produced by the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), which urges the government to act on mounting evidence and impose tighter restrictions on gambling promotion.
Christopher Eccleston calls for crackdown on gambling ads
https://twitter.com/EndGamblingAds/status/2004512066657513803/
In the film, Eccleston sets out to examine the UK’s gambling laws and advertising culture, exploring how marketing tactics contribute to addiction. The project frames this investigation as a quest to create the ultimate anti-advertisement.
The documentary features testimony from specialists and from people directly affected by gambling harm, including campaigner Annie Ashton. Her husband died by suicide in 2021 after struggling with a hidden gambling addiction. Ashton states: “There is no hard messaging around the fact that actually this is a disorder and this can also cause a suicide. I mean where is that messaging?”
Gambling ads designed ‘to appeal to a lookalike audience’
Later, the 28 Days Later actor speaks with Joe Wade, CEO of ethical advertising agency Don’t Panic, who explains how gambling brands deliberately use familiarity and relatability to attract audiences.
“There are either the sporting ones, which are generally around football. It tends to be a white working-class person fronting it,” Wade says, with Eccleston acknowledging that he himself “fits into that” archetype.
“It’s to appeal to a lookalike audience,” Wade adds.
Wade also contrasts this with more polished, high-status gambling adverts, often fronted by major celebrities such as Chris Rock. Eccleston dryly responds: “He needs the money, he really needs the money.”
The 15-minute film concludes with Eccleston performing his own deliberately constructed anti-advert, leaning into the familiar working-class image associated with figures like Danny Dyer, Ray Winstone, and Shaun Williamson.
Wade further explains that alcohol advertising is far more tightly regulated: “You can’t associate alcohol with sport, you can’t show that it makes you more sociable. It doesn’t make you more sexually attractive. You are unable to show alcohol leading to you being more successful or happier. Whereas with gambling ads, you’re allowed to imply all of these things.” He also notes that gambling adverts are not meant to target people under 25.

Christopher Eccleston is such a properly good guy. I’m glad he’s bringing attention to gambling advertisement. Gambling is dangerous and addictive, but its way too normalised. There’s a reason why Doctor Who fans still love Eccleston. https://t.co/Yz7wXyC1Wc
— Thatt “Duke Nuke” Gladworm (@AtomTents) December 27, 2025

The film closes with Eccleston urging viewers to contact their MPs and push them “to respond to the evidence and urgently start to restrict gambling advertising.”
Following the release of the anti-ad, fans praised the actor for addressing the issue with openness, conviction, and clarity.
Featured image: Coalition to End Gambling Ads via X
The post Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston fronts anti gambling campaign urging UK to restrict advertising appeared first on ReadWrite.

Professional esports and entertainment brand FaZe Clan is facing another major turning point after all six remaining members of its influencer lineup announced their exits following the collapse of contract negotiations with new leadership.
Adapt, Jason, Ronaldo, Lacy, Rage and Silky each confirmed their departures on X. The six had been the only creators listed on the organization’s official roster.
FaZe Clan influencers exit following unsuccessful negotiations

Left @FaZeClan
14 Years. Over half of my life, I’d be lying if I said this didn’t hurt, but it had to be done. Thank you to everyone who’s been apart of this journey, the best is yet to come.
— Adapt (@FaZeAdapt) December 26, 2025

“14 Years,” Adapt wrote online. “Over half my life, I’d be lying if I said this didn’t hurt, but it had to be done.”
The organization responded publicly through its official X account, acknowledging the end of an era.

It’s heartbreaking to see this era of FaZe come to a close. It’s beyond tragic the way it all ended, it’s been an emotional few days.
We wish the boys the best not only as creators, but as people too. FaZe has always felt like a family, so we will always unconditionally root for… pic.twitter.com/mM0hybm89E
— FaZe Clan (@FaZeClan) December 28, 2025

“It’s heartbreaking to see this era of FaZe come to a close. It’s beyond tragic the way it all ended, it’s been an emotional few days.
“We wish the boys the best not only as creators, but as people too. FaZe has always felt like a family, so we will always unconditionally root for and support them.
“FaZe eSports has always operated as a separate entity, nothing on that side will change. Rather it will become our main focus moving forward.”
Former FaZe chief executive Richard “Banks” Bengtson also issued a public statement expressing regret and finality.

This is the end of @FaZeClan
I wish you guys could see my heart. I’m sorry to everyone I let down, sincerely. I really tried my best.
Wishing everyone involved a happy, healthy & successful life moving forward.
It’s over. I give up. I quit. Amen. pic.twitter.com/kAvAjzwK1n
— Banks (@Banks) December 28, 2025

“This is the end of @FaZeClan
“I wish you guys could see my heart. I’m sorry to everyone I let down, sincerely. I really tried my best.
“Wishing everyone involved a happy, healthy & successful life moving forward.
“It’s over. I give up. I quit. Amen.”
Investors say company is no longer workable
According to Matt Kalish, chief executive of Hard Rock Digital and an investor in FaZe, the company’s financial setup was no longer viable. Kalish said he presented the creators with two options, which included operating independently or entering new agreements backed by Hard Rock. Discussions ended last week, and he said the company will now proceed without them.
“My best guess is they’re all good kids and have a lot of people in their ear and are confused,” Kalish told Bloomberg. He added that the organization had previously covered many of their living and operating costs.
A person familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the creators believed the proposed contracts were unfavorable. Talks had been ongoing for approximately six months.
Former FaZe member PlaqueBoyMax, who left the group in August, addressed similar concerns during a livestream.
“We have no control,” he said. “There was no control, and it’s like we’re puppets. At least that’s what it felt like. You get what I’m saying?”
Kalish, a cofounder of DraftKings, began investing in FaZe in 2023 and said he has contributed roughly $10 million over the past year and a half to support its creators and operations.
Founded in 2010, FaZe started as a collective of friends sharing gaming content online. The group later became a major force in esports and influencer culture, popularizing the model of creators living and producing content together while securing major sponsorships.
After going public in 2022 with expectations of a valuation near $1 billion, the company’s stock declined sharply as investors questioned the long-term sustainability of a business model centered on brand deals.
Leadership instability followed. In 2023, then-chief executive Lee Trink was removed amid disputes over spending and management decisions.
FaZe’s esports operations are now overseen by GameSquare Holdings Inc., which acquired the company’s parent entity for $17 million in 2023.
Featured image: FaZeClan via X
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