Day: 21 May 2019

Leigh Clewlow from Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was handed a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of theft, a result of his serious gambling addiction. The 35-year-old man stole money and jewellery from his family to cover a £20,000 gambling debt after losing his job and marriage. Gambling addiction, which affects around 400,000 people in the United Kingdom according to official data, has been associated with mental health problems, job loss, financial debt, and even criminal behaviour. The latest case to come to light is of Leigh Clewlow, a 35-year-old man…

Inverclyde Member of Parliament Ronnie Cowan has addressed the largest bookmakers in the UK and challenged them to provide more support to gambling addiction services through contributions from their profits. In a letter to William Hill, bet365, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and BetFred, MP Cowan states that each one of these five companies is responsible to make sure that their customers are protected against gambling-related harm so they have to guarantee that such negative consequences are minimised. The Scottish politician’s initiative comes after revelations that the voluntary scheme, under which gambling…