Gambling-related
Harms
(Rutherglen and Hamilton
West) (Ind)
8. What recent discussions she has had with gambling industry
representatives on tackling gambling-related harms.
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport ()
I know that the hon. Member, as vice-chair of the all-party
parliamentary group on gambling related harm, has a keen interest
in this issue. Tackling gambling-related harm is a priority of
mine. I have met the Betting and Gaming Council, the British
Amusement Catering Trade Association and the Bingo Association,
as well as some of those with lived experience of gambling harms,
including the Gambling Commission’s lived experience advisory
panel and those involved with Gambling with Lives. I also
recently discussed with the Young Gamers and Gamblers Education
Trust how gambling affects young people. All of that will support
our evidence-led gambling review, and we will publish a White
Paper setting out our conclusions shortly.
I know this is an important area for the Minister, too. Figures
published by Public Health England estimate that the total cost
of gambling harm to public health ranges from £754.4 million to
£1.475 billion. These costs have been attributed to suicide,
depression, homelessness and alcohol dependence among adults, so
when will the Secretary of State publish the long-awaited White
Paper? Will she commit to including a statutory levy and
stringent affordability checks to ensure people are protected and
do not gamble more than they can afford?
The hon. Lady rightly highlights the impact gambling can have on
some vulnerable people. This is the most thorough review of
gambling laws since the Gambling Act 2005 was passed, and we need
to get it right so that our regulation is not just fit for the
digital age but protects those who are vulnerable. We are looking
at the best available evidence, including from the 16,000
submissions to our call for evidence, and we will be publishing
our findings very shortly.
