In an attempt to tackle gambling addiction, the small borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth is now looking into legal measures for restricting the local gambling industry. Councillors in the Central English district have decided to set up a working party, which would review the sector and its impact on people’s lives.
Following a report by communities manager Rachel Jackson, the Council of Nuneaton and Bedworth, a borough in Warwickshire, West Midlands, has agreed to look into the gambling industry. In the paper, Jackson cited figures from a recent nation-wide research, according to which almost half of all people aged 18 and up had engaged in some form of gambling in the past four weeks. Not only half of all Brits are gamblers but a considerable number of youngsters also spent their money on gambling activities.
Around 14 per cent of children aged 11 to 16 have gambled with their own money. The data is from the Young People & Gambling 2018 study carried out earlier this year and published by the Gambling Commission on November 21. The official research paper also states that around 1.7 per cent of 11-16 year olds can be classified as “problem gamblers”, while another 2.2 per cent of them are “at risk”.
After presenting the report, however, Rachel Jackson added that she could not provide data for Nuneaton and Bedworth because no research has been conducted in Warwickshire. Despite the lack of clear information, the available figures for the United Kingdom caused great concern among some councillors who compared gambling addiction to drugs. Cllr Rob Tromans commented that problem gambling ruins people’s lives – in both their personal relationships and in terms of their finances. According to him, “draconian remedies” might be necessary if local politicians wish to minimise the harmful effects of gambling addiction on people’s lives.
Others have warned that a working party dedicated to finding ways to restrict gambling-related harm may actually be hypocritical as the borough earns revenue from the industry. The council’s fund-raising lottery, in particular, should also be reviewed, Cllr Clare Goldby said, noting that it is, after all, a gambling activity. Another “uncomfortable truth” is the fact that all gambling establishments in the area are granted licences from the council and need permits from the local authorities in order to operate, Goldby explains.
New Concerns: Unregulated Gambling on the Internet
In November, the UK Gambling Commission said that around 90 per cent of the pubs in the country were unable to prevent children from playing on gaming machines. These machines are gambling products and, therefore, are not allowed for individuals under 18. Access to them should be limited, the Commission said, warning that the findings of its experiment were extremely alarming. In comparison, 70 to 85 per cent of pubs fail to restrict children’s access to alcohol and tobacco.
While this inability of British pubs and bars to provide gambling services only to adults is, indeed, causing concern, online gambling may be an equally alarming issue. An increasing number of people – adults and children alike, tend to gamble on the Internet, whether that would be betting on sports events, casino gaming, bingo, or online lotteries and scratch cards. The online market is still largely unregulated, which increases the risks for gamblers to develop compulsive behaviours.
According to Councillor Bill Hancox, online gambling might be much more dangerous than gaming machines at pubs and other gambling establishments. Online casinos and games of chance are much more accessible and gamblers are less likely to control their spending or gaming behaviours on the Internet.
- Author
Daniel Williams
