Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Responsible Gambling

Thursday 16 January 2025 · 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

  • Catherine Fookes raised concerns about the impact of problem gambling, citing statistics from Gambling with Lives.
  • The Minister acknowledged the importance of the issue and mentioned her previous work as shadow gambling Minister visiting a treatment center.
  • Nick Timothy questioned the Minister about affordability checks and betting levy reform in horseracing, noting previous positive engagement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Culture, Media & Sport Mental Health
Context

The question pertains to the impact of gambling addiction on public health, particularly focusing on problem gamblers and their risk for suicidal behavior. The MP cites statistics from the charity 'Gambling with Lives'.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response. We all know that 2.5% of the population are considered to be problem gamblers, and 17% of those (44%) are at high risk of suicidal behaviour according to the excellent charity Gambling with Lives. The impact of problem gambling stretches far and wide across the UK, including in my constituency of Monmouthshire, and it should be considered a public health issue. What cross-departmental work is being done to tackle the concerning issue of suicide due to gambling?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

I thank my hon. Friend for raising such an important question. Of course, any life lost is an absolute tragedy. When I was the shadow gambling Minister, I visited the Gordon Moody residential treatment centre, which supports people with gambling-related harm. On that visit and at other meetings, I heard at first hand about the devastating impact that gambling can have. We are committed to working across Government on this issue, particularly with the Department of Health and Social Care, including by establishing a comprehensive support and treatment system, funded by the statutory levy, and by strengthening messages in order to raise awareness of the risks of harmful gambling.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific cross-departmental actions or timelines were provided for addressing suicide risks associated with problem gambling.

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Q2 Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP raises concerns about the affordability checks for those betting on horse racing and proposes reforms to the betting levy, suggesting a potential fiscal forecast or mini-Budget in March.

Question

The Minister will not be surprised to hear me raise the issue of the disproportionality of affordability checks on those betting on racing, and the reform of the betting levy. I am grateful for the positive tone taken so far, and the constructive engagement from her and the Secretary of State. Talks between the gambling industry and the racing industry about the betting levy continue, but I think ultimately Ministers will be required to make a decision. We need the betting levy to be increased overall, and applied to races held overseas that people are betting on here. We think there will be not just a fiscal forecast but a mini-Budget in March. Can those industries start working with the Treasury now to make sure that there are plans to reform the betting levy in the Finance Bill?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that question. He is a huge champion for the horseracing industry. Of course, the Government and I recognise the significant contribution that racing makes to British sporting culture and the rural economy in particular. We are disappointed that talks have not been successful. The Government have heard racing’s concerns about the financial checks, and about the fact that there has not been an agreement. The Minister with responsibility for gambling and the Secretary of State continue to work on this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear commitment or timeline was provided regarding working with the Treasury on betting levy reforms ahead of budget considerations.

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