Inquiry Report - Future Regulation of Gambling in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Assembly All Party Group (APG) on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling has published an inquiry report outlining a range of recommendations to modernise Northern Ireland’s gambling laws.

The inquiry heard that the combination of an unregulated online industry, a lack of healthcare support and persistent social stigma around gambling addiction is leading to serious harm within communities and in some cases avoidable loss of life.

During the seven month inquiry, the APG heard from a wide range of witnesses from across the UK and Ireland as well as experts from as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The inquiry received contributions from local gambling industry as well as local individuals and families impacted by gambling addiction and gambling related suicide.

The inquiry report outlines 38 recommendations to protect people here from gambling harm. Underpinning all of these is the principle that gambling harm should be treated by the NI Executive as a public health issue. 

The Inquiry Report can be downloaded here.