Agenda item

·         The Citizens Advice were working to raise awareness of gambling-related harm not to demonise the industry but to give support and advice to those affected by gambling

·         Gambling-related harm was a public health issue.  The Gambling Commission launched a national strategy to reduce Gambling Harms in April 2019

·         The research, education and treatment of gambling harm is overseen by the Gambling Commission, Responsible Gambling Strategy Board and Gamble Aware

·         There were 11 project workers throughout England and Wales helping to deliver the strategy assisting training front-line staff to be able to identify signs of gambling-related harm

·         The research, education and treatment work carried out by the Gambling Commission was funded by voluntary donations from the Gambling industry.  There was a recommendation made by the House of Lords to introduce a statutory levy

·         As defined by the Gambling Act 2005 Gambling was betting, gaming or participating in a lottery, where gaming meant playing a game of chance for a prize and a prize was defined as money or ‘moneys’ worth’

·         The Gambling industry generated a huge level of revenue.  After pay-outs to customers this figure was around £14 billion

·         Harmful gambling was defined as repetitive gambling that disrupts or damages personal, family or recreational pursuits.  The effects of harmful gambling could have a lasting detrimental impact

·         A result of compulsive gambling could cause issues of homelessness, mental health problems, loss of employment and family relationships and the risk of criminal activity

·         It was estimated that for every problem gambler between 6 and 10 additional people could be affected by gambling-related harm

·         The cost of treatment for people living with gambling-related harm was a big burden on the public purse

·         Groups at risk of harm from gambling included children, adolescents and young adults (including students), as well as people with mental health issues due to substance abuse

·         To tackle the issue of gambling-related harm frontline workers, welfare officers and support staff across a range of agencies from Local Authority to citizens advice offices

·         It was encouraged that the Local Authority developed a relationship with local treatment organisations as well as responsible gambling providers

·         Primary and secondary health care costs in 2017 were £760 million and only likely to increase

·         Of the 47% of adults who gambled in the last week 20.6% were likely to have done so online.  4/10 gamblers bet as a result of having seen an advert.  Over the last five years the number of calls to gambling helplines had risen by 30%.  Close to half a million children (aged 11 to 16) bet regularly online.  Only 1/50 adult problem gamblers get support.

In response to questions the Project Worker Gambling Support Service Officer gave the following responses: