Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gambling-related Harms

Thursday 9 March 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister met with Betting and Gaming Council, British Amusement Catering Trade Association, Bingo Association, and Gambling Commission's lived experience advisory panel.
  • Public Health England figures show significant costs attributed to gambling harm.
  • Government conducting thorough review since 2005 with over 16,000 submissions to call for evidence.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of gambling on individuals and communities, especially in light of recent discussions with industry representatives.

Question

What recent discussions has the Minister had with gambling industry representatives to tackle gambling-related harms?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I have met the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association and the Bingo Association, as well as those with lived experience of gambling harms, including the Gambling Commission's lived experience advisory panel. All this will support our evidence-led gambling review, and we will publish a White Paper setting out our conclusions shortly.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Margaret Ferrier SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Public Health England figures estimate the total cost of gambling harm to public health ranges from £754.4 million to £1.475 billion, affecting suicide, depression, homelessness and alcohol dependence among adults.

Question

Given that figures published by Public Health England show significant costs attributed to gambling harm, when will the Secretary of State publish the long-awaited White Paper? Will she commit to including a statutory levy and stringent affordability checks?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

The hon. Lady rightly highlights the impact of gambling on vulnerable people, and we are conducting the most thorough review since 2005 with over 16,000 submissions to our call for evidence. We will publish our findings very shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to including a statutory levy and stringent affordability checks

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email