Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gambling-related Crime: Support for Victims

Tuesday 10 December 2024 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government announced a new revised victims code to provide support for all victims of crime
  • Government introduced a mandatory levy on gambling companies to address gambling harm
  • Comments will be passed to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for further action

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from the need to address the significant number of victims affected by gambling addiction and related crimes. The issue is compounded by the impact on families and communities, with an average of 496 gambling-related suicides annually.

Question

What steps her Department is taking through the criminal justice system to help support victims of gambling-related crimes?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Government are determined to provide support for all victims of crime and have publicly consulted on a new revised victims code in the new year. A legally mandated levy on gambling companies has been announced by the Minister for Gambling to address gambling harm and introduce NHS-led treatment and support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not specifically mention steps taken through the criminal justice system as requested.

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Q2 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
NHS Culture, Media & Sport
Context

A local charity in Leicester South highlighted the devastating impact of gambling addiction on a young man from a deprived socioeconomic background and his family. The situation includes financial ruin, debt, and destruction of familial relationships.

Question

I welcome that response from the Minister. Gambling addiction destroys lives. In fact, on average, 496 gambling-related suicides occur every year. It is not just the lives of the gamblers that get destroyed; there is an invisible group of victims—the families who have to pick up the pieces. A local charity in my constituency—Spinney Hill drugs, alcohol and addiction support—told me of a talented young man from a deprived socioeconomic background whose family saved every single penny to send him to university. He spent that and more on gambling because of his addiction. The family are now in spiralling debt, and the whole family unit has been destroyed. Does the Minister agree that gambling companies should pay a levy to help compensate families, especially when children are becoming addicted?

Answer from Alex Davies-Jones

The Government recently announced a mandatory levy on gambling companies directly to provide support and NHS-led services. The comments will be passed to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for further action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not explicitly address whether the Minister agrees with levies compensating families affected by gambling addiction.

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