House of Commons · Westminster Hall
05 February 2025 · 25 other contributors · 15,185 words
Opened by Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen
Responding minister: Stephanie Peacock
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Alex Ballinger raised concerns about gambling harms in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The lead MP asks for stronger policy and regulatory controls that protect public health and wellbeing and prevent harm from gambling.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Around 40% of gamblers who seek treatment in the UK have considered suicide, and the Government’s own national suicide prevention strategy cited gambling as one of the six main factors linked to suicide. The story of Ben, a young man who took his life at age 19 due to gambling addiction, highlights the urgent need for further measures to address this crisis.
Countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain have chosen almost full bans on gambling advertising and sponsorship. These measures are necessary to protect people, especially children. Agreed that the sector cannot regulate itself and prioritises profit over the needs of vulnerable users.
Interrupted to ask a question, but was not given way by the speaking MP. Asked about the normalization of gambling through non-gambling online games that offer users a chance to win extra turns via virtual roulette wheels.
Supports the idea of pursuing affordability checks for online gambling companies to prevent individuals from gambling beyond their means.
Welcomes the Government’s commitment to introduce the statutory levy on gambling and sees it as vital that there are NHS services in every part of the country to support those suffering from gambling addiction.
A constituent's 19-year-old son tragically took his own life after becoming addicted to online gambling due to advertising pressure. Problem gambling is a public health emergency that requires urgent action from all parts of government.
Discussed the economic benefits of Cheltenham racecourse while also addressing financial harms of gambling. Agrees that gambling companies should not be allowed to indoctrinate children, comparing them to fast food companies in sports sponsorship.
Critiques the embedding of gambling in sports programmes and calls for stronger regulation to limit advertising and betting opportunities for young people.
Shared concerns about gambling addiction and called for reduced advertising of harmful forms. Raised concerns about horseracing and suggested looking at lotteries, pools, and sports betting differently from online forms of gambling.
Addressed the high concentration of betting shops in Brent and called for strengthened licensing powers.
Supported the call for greater powers to stop proliferation of betting shops in deprived areas, citing a University of Bristol study.
As a public health doctor, she agrees with the need for population-level interventions to address gambling addiction appropriately.
While it's important to regulate harmful forms of gambling, balance is crucial as 22.5 million people in the UK gamble safely and 42,000 are employed in betting shops.
Prevention needs to focus on people at immediate risk and also consider our education system and services for young people. Highlights the economic and social costs of harmful gambling, noting 1.76 million participants in England with 168,000 classified as problem gamblers. Calls for a ban on all shirt advertising by gambling companies in sports.
Stressed the need for regulation to protect children from online gambling and highlighted issues in Northern Ireland. Concerned about the ease with which planning permission is granted for casinos despite community opposition, highlighting the need to manage gambling as a high-risk area comprehensively. Asked about Northern Ireland's regulation of gambling and requested the Government work with the Northern Ireland Executive.
Highlights the high rate of gambling harms in Greater Manchester, with one in 15 residents facing such issues. Emphasises the importance of recovery groups like GaMHive.
Agrees that stronger regulation is needed, highlighting cases where companies prey on vulnerable individuals and offer perks and freebies to draw them back into gambling.
My constituent Lesley Wade shared her son Aaron’s story, illustrating how gambling addiction is often hidden from view. The online industry uses techniques that disrupt brain chemistry intentionally, making it a public health emergency needing urgent attention.
Shares a constituent's tragic story of a son who took his life due to gambling addiction, highlighting the need for action beyond consultations.
Emphasised the importance of separating harmless flutters from pernicious gambling practices, noting the invasive 24/7 advertising and the need for independent oversight to protect consumers.
Noted the economic contribution of gambling, supporting 100,000 jobs and generating £4 billion in tax revenue. Highlighted the voluntary system funding charities to support problem gamblers and pointed out that UK's problem gambling rate is relatively low compared with European countries.
Raises concerns about the rise of online gambling and calls for further safeguards to protect vulnerable players from marketing practices that can exacerbate problem gambling.
Congratulated on securing the debate and highlighted the need for better control over gambling harms. Advocated reducing online stake limits to align with betting shop limits, criticized lack of remorse in the gambling industry. Asked how the logic works on introducing a £5 stake limit for online gambling when there is a £2 limit in betting shops.
The occasional flutter on traditional gambling should not be conflated with harmful online gambling. A statutory levy has been announced to address the issue, but it must not be controlled by those causing harm.
Asked about the Government's support for organisations providing residential treatment and mental health services to prevent gambling-related suicide.
Discussed her experiences with individuals and families affected by gambling harm, mentioning a visit to a Gordon Moody treatment centre.
Government Response
Stephanie PeacockThe Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Minister congratulates Alex Ballinger on securing the debate and acknowledges concerns about gambling harm prevention and treatment funding. She does not provide specific answers to the detailed questions asked but notes the need for strategic direction and accountability within the Department. Discussed the Government's position on gambling reform based on the 2023 Gambling White Paper. Mentioned affordability checks being piloted and the statutory levy review happening within five years. Emphasized working with industry to modernise regulation and protect people from harm, including new protections on marketing and bonuses. Announced new measures including a £5 stake limit on online slots to protect those at risk of gambling harm. Introduced a statutory gambling levy expected to raise around £100 million annually for research, prevention, and treatment. Addressed concerns regarding advertising impact on children and the role of coroners in assessing gambling-related suicides.