APG holds first session of its inquiry into public health approaches to tackling gambling-related harms

On Monday (13 February) the Northern Ireland All Party Group (APG) on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling met for the first oral evidence session of its inquiry into public health approaches to tackling gambling-related harms. The group heard evidence from Dr Joanna Purdy and Dr Helen McAvoy of the Insitute of Public Health (IPH) and Matt Zarb-Cousin of Gamban and Clean Up Gambling. 

Dr Purdy and Dr McAvoy emphasised the importance of a population level public health approach that protects the health and wellbeing of the entire population, including children and young people. They made a series of recommendations, including a prevention-first approach, cross-government mandate and inter-departmental support "to ensure policy coherence within health, communities, justice and also finance" and a focus on reducing inequalities and protecting vulnerable groups. Click here to read the IPH's opening statement to the APG inquiry in full.

Matt Zarb-Cousin told the group that though the overall participation of gambling has remained relatively constant, public losses have increased. He added that younger age groups tend to engage in higher risk and more frequent gambling. This is compounded by the prevalence of online gambling, and easy access via smartphones.

Issued raised by members and observers included the protection of children and young people, data collection and public awareness campaigning to prevent gambling-related harms.

The next oral evidence session is scheduled for Monday 27 February, and will take place virtually. 

To watch Monday's session in full, click here.