
Dr Raffaello Rossi
Current positions
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
School of Management - Business School
Contact
Press and media
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Biography
Beyond academia, Raffaello has collaborated with research organisations such as YouGov, Ipsos, The Behavioural Insights Team, The Outsiders, and Demos, as well as key stakeholders including GambleAware, YGAM, Ara, Beacon, GamCare, the All Party Parliamentarian Group for Gambling Reform , ITV, Channel 5, and CBC News. His expertise is frequently sought after by the media, where he provides commentary on gambling-related issues.
Recently, he led a large-scale research project investigating the prevalence of gambling marketing during the opening weekend of the English Premier League across multiple media platforms, including live TV broadcasts, news coverage, radio, and social media. The study found that football fans were exposed to over 11,000 gambling marketing messages in 2023 — a figure that tripled to 29,000 in 2024. This sharp increase has ignited widespread public debate and parliamentary discussions, raising urgent concerns about the growing saturation of gambling sponsorship in sports.
Research interests
Dr Raffaello Rossi is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Bristol, specialising in the intersection of social media marketing, public policy, and consumer protection. He is also the Impact Lead at the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research and a member of Ofcom’s Research, Evidence and Evaluation Working Group.
Raffaello’s research on the effects of gambling advertising on young people has received widespread attention, featuring in national and international media such as The New York Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Der Spiegel, and CBC News. His work has shaped parliamentary debates in the UK and Canada and contributed to major policy discussions and reforms concerning gambling marketing regulation.
Beyond academia, Raffaello has collaborated with research organisations including YouGov, Ipsos, the Behavioural Insights Team, The Outsiders, and Demos, as well as key stakeholders such as GambleAware, YGAM, Ara, Beacon, GamCare, and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Gambling Reform. His expertise is regularly sought by the media, where he provides commentary on gambling-related issues.
Recently, he led a major research project examining gambling marketing during the opening weekend of the English Premier League across TV, news, radio, and social media. The study revealed that football fans were exposed to over 11,000 gambling marketing messages in 2023 — a figure that surged to 29,000 in 2024. These findings have sparked national debate and renewed parliamentary scrutiny, raising urgent concerns about the intensifying saturation of gambling sponsorship in sport.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Gambling Marketing AI Detection And Blocking Tool
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Geographical SciencesDates
01/09/2024 to 31/08/2025
For the love of the game: Grassroots Football and Gambling
Principal Investigator
Description
Exploring the intersection of gambling practices and football consumption, focusing on UK grassroots club football playing amongst children and adultsManaging organisational unit
School of Management - Business SchoolDates
01/06/2023 to 31/07/2025
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Gambling
Principal Investigator
Description
A mixed-methods study of the relationship between ACEs and subsequent gambling disorder, with an aim to inform intervention development. Funded by the Gambling Commission's Regulatory Settlement fund.Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/04/2023 to 31/12/2024
Publications
Selected publications
19/09/2023New Season, More Self-Regulation, More Marketing.
New Season, More Self-Regulation, More Marketing.
“Get a £10 Free Bet Every Week!” - Gambling Advertising on Twitter: Volume, Content, Followers, Engagement and Regulatory Compliance
Journal of Public Policy and Marketing
New Developments in Gambling Marketing: the Rise of Social Media Ads and Its Effect on Youth
Current Addiction Reports
Recent publications
27/05/2025Engagement isn’t a trade-off – it’s a path to stronger research
Clearly (not) identifiable – The recognisability of gambling content marketing
International Journal of Market Research
Gambling advertisements in Ontario
International Gambling Studies
Ad Overload – Rethinking Gambling Advertising Regulations in the Digital Age
Betting on Emotions: Unveiling Children's psychophysiological Responses to Social Media Gambling Ads and the Influence of Educational Interventions
Thesis
The Appeal of Gambling Advertising on Twitter to Children and Young Persons.
Supervisors
Award date
28/09/2021