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

On Monday (27 March) the Northern Ireland All Party Group (APG) on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling met for the third oral evidence session of its inquiry into public health approaches to tackling gambling-related harms. The group heard evidence from Steve Watts, CEO of GamFam, and Liz Ritchie and Will Prochaska of Gambling with Lives.

Steve Watts spoke to APG members about breaking the stigma around gambling, while emphasizing the importance of talking about lived experiences, saying that this, along with peer support, is important for aftercare.

Liz Ritchie described the effect that gambling has, saying that it is “designed to use the biology of the brain.” She elaborated on this, adding that “a switch point in the brain changes from voluntary interest to involuntary compulsion.” Liz said that she felt that this is important information for victims/survivors and families alike, as “if we are going to be responsible for getting over an illness, we need to know what’s happening to us.”

Will Prochaska added: "the Department of Health must be much more involved” in tackling gambling related harms and highlighted that it is crucial that “a treatment system is integrated and evidence based.” He criticized advertising regulations saying that “once you accept that a product is a risk, it’s a natural conclusion that is shouldn’t be advertised.” 

The APG will meet in-person at Stormont on Monday (3 April) for a special session on loot boxes, lead by Dr Leon Xiao and Laura Henderson of the University of Bristol, who recently published a review of efforts to reform them.

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

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