ADPH backs calls for tougher regulation on gambling
Gambling products are created by an industry seeking to make a profit from people losing. Only by focusing on the role of the industry, and on collective responsibility, can we ever hope to effectively protect people and save lives.
Greg Fell
ADPH President
Today, we have welcomed today’s call from the Culture Media and Sport Committee for the Government to do more to protect children and young people from gambling.
Every year, hundreds of lives are lost to gambling, with many more individuals and families affected, and more still at risk of serious harm.
Greg Fell, ADPH President, said:
“The fact that 7,000 gambling messages could be seen during just six matches is proof that the current, voluntary agreement isn’t working. At best, it just pushes the industry to market their products in other – just as visible – places and at worst, it legitimises something which we know is extremely harmful.”
The Government’s white paper, published earlier this year, set out a range of measures designed to reduce the harm caused by gambling. While today’s report welcomes some aspects of the white paper, Directors of Public Health (DsPH) are concerned that the current proposals fail to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the public.
“We need to look at the role that society and the gambling industry is playing in causing gambling harm and take steps to limit it. Children are exposed on a daily basis to harmful gambling products and the only effective way to stop this exposure is by introducing tighter regulations.
“Unless we take action to protect our children and young people, another generation will grow up to view gambling as a normal activity and society will continue to see – and feel – its damaging consequences,” Fell explained.
In response to the DCMS committee inquiry on gambling regulation, submitted in partnership with the Faculty of Public Health and Royal Society for Public Health in February, ADPH argued strongly for a public health approach to gambling and for a comprehensive ban on all forms of marketing.
Fell added:
“Gambling products are created by an industry seeking to make a profit from people losing. Only by focusing on the role of the industry, and on collective responsibility, can we ever hope to effectively protect people and save lives.”