19/02/2020

'Time To Stop Gambling With Lives'

The Alliance Party has thrown its weight behind a charity campaign to restrict gambling abuse across Northern Ireland.

Gambling With Lives is seeking updates to legislation to better restrict betting and gambling in the hope of preventing more deaths by those who grow addicted.

The charity was set up by the families and friends of young men who have taken their own lives as a direct result of their addiction. These were all very normal, bright, popular and happy young men who had great futures ahead of them. Gambling was their only problem.

No one knows how many deaths are related to gambling each year; but research indicates that are between 250 and 650 gambling related suicides every year in the UK, a minimum of one every working day, according to the charity.

The campaign comes amid a period of consultation on current laws in Northern Ireland to seek views on whether change is necessary.

Alliance spokesperson on Communities, Kellie Armstrong MLA, supports the campaign.

She said: "Gambling preys on vulnerable people and ruins lives. Around 10% of people who take their own lives do so as a result of their gambling addiction. Addiction to slot machines, online betting and lotteries is more than an issue about money, gambling kills. It's vital the Assembly moves forward on gambling legislation as a matter or urgency, to save more people from being pulled into a life destroying habit.

"Northern Ireland has not had an update to our legislation on gambling since the 1980s. The maximum gambling fee permitted in law remains 50p but as that law is not enforced, many gambling machines exceed this maximum betting amount.

"Online gambling means access to betting is available 24 hours a day and often with little checks on the age of people using these sites.

"It's time to stop gambling with lives," the Strangford MLA concluded.

The Department for Communities consultation will close this Friday, 21 February, at 5pm.

Members of the public can submit a response online.



(JG/MH)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 November 2024
Work Underway For Free Hospital Parking In Northern Ireland
Work has begun at several hospital sites across Northern Ireland as part of the preparations for the introduction of free car parking in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been actively preparing for the implementation of a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed in 2022.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
08 March 2024
Reasons NI Gambling Laws Are 'A Bit Different'
The four countries that make up the UK are self-governing, meaning they could have their unique gambling laws and regulations. However, while Wales and Scotland's gambling laws mostly align with those of England, there are some glaring differences between Northern Ireland's and the rest of the UK.
09 August 2024
Enhancing Transparency and Accountability: UK Gambling Commission's New Quarterly Reporting Requirements
In the United Kingdom, gambling enthusiasts have the opportunity to engage in their favourite pastime through both in-person and online avenues. Brick-and-mortar casinos across the country offer a traditional and immersive gambling experience, allowing patrons to wager on various games of chance in a physical setting.
30 September 2019
Public To Have Their Say On NI Gambling Issues
The people of Northern Ireland are to have their say on local 'gambling issues' in a future consultation, it has emerged. Christian charity CARE NI revealed details of the consultation after the Department of Communities confirmed it would take place in the "near future".