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Gambling Harms: Children and Young People
15 January 2026
Lead MP
Kevin McKenna
Sittingbourne and Sheppey
Lab
Responding Minister
Ian Murray
Tags
NHS
Word Count: 13663
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Kevin McKenna raised concerns about gambling harms: children and young people in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks for gambling to be treated as a public health issue due to its rising concern and the need for regulation. He also calls for action on indirect harms such as advertising and the gamification of activities like loot boxes that can induce children into gambling.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The debate highlights the significant harm gambling causes to children and young people, noting that about 500 people a year die from gambling-related suicides. It discusses how gambling is increasingly accessible through new technologies, including social media and smartphones, and that children can be exposed to gambling advertisements at all times, potentially leading to addiction.
Alex Ballinger
Lab
Halesowen
Concerned about the enormous scale of gambling harm, particularly among young people where 10.2% suffer from it, and 70,000 children under 18 face serious harms. Gambling advertising normalises gambling among underage viewers.
Ben Coleman
Lab
Chelsea and Fulham
Called for stricter regulations such as banning gambling ads accessible to minors, prohibiting influencer promotions, enforcing penalties on violators, mandating addiction warnings, requiring robust age verification, and funding prevention programmes.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Agreed that tackling gambling harms should not just be about banning gambling, but safeguarding against it. Companies are grooming children to become addicted and the issue is interconnected with other forms of manipulation.
Ian Murray
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Murray acknowledges the importance of safeguarding children from gambling harms and supports further research into player protections with regards to loot boxes in video games.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
49% of 11 to 17-year-olds had experienced gambling, and 30% spent their own money on it. GamCare highlighted that among at-risk parents who gamble, almost half have bet with their children, leading to potential problem gambling in the future. Addressed concerns about how coroner services respond to gambling-related suicides and raised issues around voluntary bans not being sufficient to address the proliferation of gambling advertising.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Discussed the impact of gambling addiction on children and families, citing a seven-year-old child who started gambling. Mentioned that GambleAware’s survey found that some 1.6 million children in the UK live with an adult displaying signs of problematic gambling addiction.
Kevin McKenna
Lab
West Derby
Thanked every Member for their contributions and highlighted the importance of health studies moving quickly due to rapidly changing issues. Commended APPG on gambling reform and Health and Social Care Committee for their work.
Aylesbury
Highlighted a tragic case involving Ollie Long who took his life due to gambling addiction, emphasizing the need for tougher action on advertising in sport.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
She expressed concern about children being actively targeted by gambling advertisements, noting that industry spending on advertising is £2 billion per year. She also highlighted the influence of social media platforms and influencers in promoting gambling among young people.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Grateful to the hon. Member for securing this debate, he discusses indirect harms of gambling on children via family members with addiction issues leading to financial instability, stress, relationship breakdowns, and impacts on wellbeing, education, and mental health.
Richard Quigley
Lab
Isle of Wight West
He warned against the growing risks of gambling for young people, citing cases where addiction led to financial loss and even death. He called for stronger regulations and support services tailored specifically for young problem gamblers.
My hon. Friend
Party Not Specified
Not Specified
Mentioned the impact of parental gambling on children and households, noting that nearly 30% of young people have seen a family member they live with gamble. Discussed increased gambling activity among children and the need to monitor unregulated gambling, such as private bets between family members. Raised the issue of the Department of Health and Social Care considering gambling a health issue.
Alex Ballinger
Welcomed tax changes and the front-of-shirt ban in sports events.
Mr Quigley
Noted normalisation of gambling among young people and the industry's response to criticism.
Lizzi Collinge
Highlighted that industry spends £2 billion a year on advertising due to its effectiveness, and pushed for more measures against it.
Not Specified
Talked about young boys being more likely to gamble at higher levels, particularly with online casino-style betting.
Jim Shannon
Reflected on gambling regulations being different in Northern Ireland, highlighting meetings with Northern Irish counterparts to discuss gambling harm.
Government Response
Ian Murray
The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts
Government Response
Ian Murray highlighted the need for safeguards against gambling harms, especially for children. He mentioned ongoing research into player protections regarding loot boxes and noted that 20% of the gambling levy is allocated to research. Discussed the impact of parental gambling on children, noting that nearly 30% of young people have seen a family member they live with gamble. Mentioned the National Gambling Clinic's support services for those aged 13 to 18 experiencing harm from gambling. Announced that £120 million from the statutory gambling levy is being used for prevention and treatment, with some funds allocated towards future policy initiatives like the children and young people’s strategy. Acknowledged the link between gambling and suicide as a sensitive area, highlighting the £120 million raised from the levy this year, distributed among prevention, treatment, research, and tackling illegal markets. Addressed concerns about betting on high streets by referring to previous Backbench Business debates and the commitment of cumulative impact assessments in planning processes.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.