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

On Tuesday (14 November), the Northern Ireland All Party Group (APG) on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling met for the eleventh oral evidence session of its inquiry into public health approaches to tackling gambling-related harms. The group heard evidence from Dr James Noyes, Senior Fellow of the Social Market Foundation, and Dr Heather Wardle, Professor of Gambling Research and Policy at the University of Glasgow. 

Dr James Noyes began by addressing the causal relationship between gambling advertising and gambling product consumption, highlighting that there would be no harm without participation. He added that the fact that there are restrictions on gambling advertising at present, itself acknowledges that there is a link between advertising and consumption.

Professor Wardle echoed Dr Noyes’ comments on the causal relationship between exposure to gambling advertising/marketing and consumption of gambling products. She noted that increased consumption of gambling products was highly associated with gambling-related harms.

Professor Wardle added that gambling advertising disproportionately influences those who have experienced gambling-related harm. She noted that there were “fundamental misconceptions” in the UK White Paper on Gambling Reform, saying that gambling advertising does have the ability to influence the normative environment.

In relation to regulation, Professor Wardle said that it needed to be both “mandatory and prescriptive”, adding that it is the sporting bodies who are “best placed” to drive up standards. She addressed the reticence of some of these bodies to pursue stricter regulations, noting the strong financial interests tied to the gambling industry.

Dr Noyes was critical of the notion that all legislators are averse to a ban on gambling advertising, emphasising that prohibition of advertising in this sector does not mean prohibition of the market or product itself.

In relation to a public health approach to preventing gambling-related harm, both Dr Noyes and Professor Wardle cited the importance of a joined-up approach, including the introduction of a statutory levy in the UK, which will help to fund a national strategy on prevention.

To view a recording of the session, please click here.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 12 December.