I met with former Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and England footballer Paul Merson today to discuss much needed reforms to gambling. We must bring our current legislation into the digital age and protect people from gambling harms. The much-awaited gambling reform white paper cannot be delayed any further.
I was shocked and saddened to learn that:
- On average, one gambler commits suicide every day (PHE, September2021)
- 55,000 problem gamblers are aged 11-16 years old (Gambling Commission, 2019)
- 60% of the gambling industry’s profits come from the 5% who are already problem gamblers (House of Lords Select Committee)
Thank you Carolyn Harris MP for organising this important drop-in event.
#ReformGambling