APG holds first meeting of new mandate

The All Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling has today (Monday 27 June) held its first meeting of the new mandate, in which it elected officers and discussed a work programme.

The APG was established in March 2020 to address issues associated with gambling harm in our communities. It has since held two inquiries, into the future regulation of gambling in NI and the issue of gaming machines here.

Gambling is a devolved matter in NI. It is regulated under The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, and the amendment bill to that Order which received Royal Assent in April this year. The amendment bill has been described by the Communities Minister as simply a first step however, and the next phase of gambling regulation is anticipated to be the largest piece of legislation ever passed by the Assembly.

Robbie Butler MLA, who chairs the APG, said: “Gambling-related harm is devastating not only for individuals, but for their families and communities. Those with a gambling problem are estimated to be 15 times more at risk of suicide than the general population, with one study showing that up to 4% of UK suicides are gambling related”.

“NI has the highest prevalence of problem gambling on these islands: four times higher than in GB and almost three times higher than in the Republic. I look forward to continuing the vital work of the APG in this mandate, as the Department for Communities begins work on the next phase of gambling regulation here.”

Philip McGuigan MLA, who is vice-Chair of the APG, said: “The amending legislation passed by the Assembly in the last mandate is just the first small step toward reforming our very outdated gambling laws. It lays the groundwork for the second phase of wider reforms in this mandate”.

“The creation of a completely new regulatory framework covering land-based and online gambling operators that protect individuals, families and communities from gambling related harm will be a huge undertaking [and] the APG will have an important role to play here.”

The APG will meet again in September to finalise the work programme. Click here to read the minutes of the meeting. To watch a recording of the meeting, click here.