The select committee launched in December last year with a focus on legal compliance and the need for increased protection of individuals. The committee will examine the government’s approach to gambling regulation, including innovations in the sector and the relationship between broadcasting and sport. It is important to note that this committee’s work is separate from the ongoing Gambling Act review, which aims to create new gambling laws suitable for the digital age.
The recently released Gambling Act Review white paper, which resulted from the government process, recommended specific policy proposals. However, treatment organizations have expressed concerns regarding the delays and lack of action on gambling marketing in the white paper. The CEO of gambling treatment provider Gordon Moody, Matthew Hickey, emphasized the negative impact of these delays on their organization’s ability to deliver services.
An issue of concern for the committee is the apparent increase in the prevalence of gambling addiction, as evidenced by the rising demand for treatment services. While the represented charities acknowledge that this could partly be due to increased public awareness of treatment options, they do not rule out the possibility of higher absolute addiction rates. The committee calls for enhanced research to gain a better understanding of the extent of gambling harms.
It is important to note that the effects of gambling vary among different demographic groups, with minority communities experiencing greater harm despite being less likely to gamble. The committee emphasizes the need to reach all affected individuals, and therefore, a stigma campaign has been initiated to encourage people to seek help and discuss their experiences. Additionally, prevalence rates also differ across geographic locations, indicating the importance of considering both demographic and geographic factors in addressing this issue. The helpline for gambling support receives calls predominantly from individuals under the age of 35, highlighting the significance of age as a factor.
