The final item of business this evening is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-17172, in the name of Clare Adamson, on the harm of gambling addiction. The debate will be concluded without any questions being put. I invite members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes reports of the concerning rise of gambling addiction in Scotland, including in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency; believes that gambling can have adverse impacts on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and society, such as loss of employment, debt and a deterioration of physical and mental health, and that this can lead to increased risk of suicide among individuals affected by problem gambling; understands that approximately 1% of the adult population in Scotland, around 55,000 people, is estimated to be experiencing severe gambling problems, with a further 3.8% at risk of developing gambling-related issues, according to the Scottish Health Survey 2020; further understands that gambling-related crime, often driven by financial desperation, poses a threat to public safety and community wellbeing, with GamCare’s annual statistics report suggesting that more than 50% of individuals seeking help for gambling addiction also reported committing criminal acts to fund gambling activities; considers gambling addiction to be a significant public health issue and notes the view that it requires sustained policy intervention; believes with concern that there is an unprecedented variety of gambling apps, websites, online games, lotteries and social media platforms; notes with further concern marketing campaigns that promote gambling, despite the reported myriad public health concerns, and commends organisations, such as GamCare and the John Hartson Foundation, for their commitment and dedication to reducing the harm of problem gambling.
17:12
I thank the members who are taking part this evening, and also those who supported the motion to allow it to come to the chamber.
Problem gambling is a serious public health issue. It has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families and the wider communities that we all represent. A public health issue requires a public health, person-centred response, and that is the framing that I would like to use for this evening’s debate.
Problem gambling—and addiction more generally—does not just impact on finances; it can have serious implications for the health and wellbeing of not only the person with the problem but their immediate friends, family and loved ones. It can cause financial ruin. It can result in health and wellbeing issues, and people experiencing problem gambling face stigma and judgment that can put them off seeking the help that they desperately need. Loss of employment, debt and deterioration of physical and mental health can lead to increased risk of suicide among individuals who are affected by problem gambling.
I have reflected on my framing for this debate and I know, from working with some brilliant recovery charities in Motherwell and Wishaw, that terminology is important and that a discussion can be charged if it is not framed correctly. I understand that the word “addiction” can be stigmatising in itself. However, I felt that it was necessary to use it in the context of raising awareness of the need for support for the most problematic cases. However, I must also consider my own language, and ensure that it is used to empower people to seek help rather than to judge people. As is the case with drug and alcohol use, a public health response to gambling is about framing our approach as a person-centred, awareness-raising and compassionate response to problem gambling.
We are not going to end gambling. It is a practice that I suggest is as old as humanity. However, we can recognise that, if it gets out of control, there is help for those who are struggling. People will continue to gamble. According to Public Health Scotland, 58 per cent of adults aged 16 and over have gambled within the previous 12 months. However, I do not accept that betting companies have done all that they can to reduce the harms that are associated with gambling.
According to the 2020 Scottish health survey, around 55,000 people are estimated to be experiencing severe gambling problems, with a further 3.8 per cent being at risk of developing gambling-related issues, which, as I have already said, go beyond the individual. It is estimated that, for every person who has a gambling problem, there will be six other people among their family, friends and working environment who will be deeply affected by it, too.
We know that this is not a gender issue, and that there are female and male people who are struggling with addiction in this area. However, I have to say that the targeting from the organisations that offer people opportunities to access support is very gender focused.
A person’s life and livelihood can be devastated by gambling addiction, and that can have an impact on everyone around them, but there are wider social harms, too. It can cause financial desperation, which can lead to associated crimes. In a presentation at the recent community action network event that I held, which was hosted by New College Lanarkshire and brought together third sector organisations to share their experience, GamCare, which does work in my constituency, noted that its annual statistics report shows that more than 50 per cent of individuals seeking help for problem gambling also reported committing criminal acts to fund gambling activities.
I commend the organisations that are doing work in the community. A lot of the gambling companies invest in those charitable programmes, and I welcome that funding. However, we have to get to the crux of the matter, because such activity does not address the array of harms that are caused by problem gambling.
Organisations that promote or market gambling also have to consider their responsibilities to the wider community. Sports clubs that take advantage of advertising revenue from gambling companies should think about the impact that that messaging has on their fans.
I know that teams are struggling, and I know that many clubs position themselves at the centre of their community, including, in my constituency, Motherwell Football Club, which is a prime example of a club doing incredible community work and fan engagement. In that regard, I also mention Wishaw Football Club, which was formerly a junior club and is now semi-professional. Many sports clubs, by chance or design, have a unique social role in their communities. That role gives them a serious social responsibility, and decision makers should consider whether the revenues are worth it, knowing the harms and problems that can be done to the fan base and, indeed, to some of the players, as we have seen.
However, gambling addiction is not a problem that is unique to sports. Gambling takes many forms—scratch cards, lotteries, bingo and games on mobile devices, as well as the more traditional sports and casino games. Our high streets are full of betting establishments, many of which also have fixed-odds betting machines in their premises. I know that my colleague Stuart McMillan, who is here for the debate this evening, has done a lot of work on highlighting the dangers of those fixed-odds machines.
On the fixed-odds betting terminals, one of the arguments that the bookmaking companies put forward when they were campaigning not to have any changes to the terminals was that stores would close, jobs would be lost and there would be a financial detriment to their businesses. Is Clare Adamson aware of any cases where that happened, or was the industry just making false claims?
I think that the industry has been very defensive of its position in those areas, but I am not aware of fewer betting establishments being in operation, certainly in my constituency.
I will finish by highlighting a drop-in event that I am holding tomorrow, after First Minister’s questions. GamCare, the Simon Community Scotland, the RCA Trust and the John Hartson Foundation will be here to talk about real-life experiences of gambling problems, offer help and raise awareness among colleagues of what help is available when people are in need.
17:20
I am pleased to contribute to this afternoon’s debate, and I thank Clare Adamson for bringing this important issue to the chamber.
Gambling addiction can affect many aspects of someone’s life, including their relationships, their finances and their physical and mental health. It can also affect others around them. Anyone who has seen a family member struggle with gambling addiction will know that all too well.
Data shows that more than 80 per cent of those with a gambling problem reported family or relationship difficulties. Other factors that can increase the risk of developing a gambling addiction include starting gambling at an early age, problems with drugs or alcohol or having a mental health condition.
As we have already heard, such addiction can be problematic for individuals and can lead to criminality. One of the biggest problems is that it can be easy for people to cover up their gambling addiction. In many cases, close friends or family members do not realise anything is wrong until thousands of pounds of debt have already built up.
The wider effects of gambling also extend to the whole economy. Estimates by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggest that problem gambling could be costing Scotland up to £60 million a year. It is also concerning that gambling problems are most common in young adults: it is estimated that 55,000 11 to 16-year-olds have a gambling problem.
A recent survey by the Gambling Commission highlights a worrying trend—that the number of 11 to 17-year olds with signs of problem gambling has more than doubled, compared with the previous year.
Does Alexander Stewart also acknowledge that, because of their gambling addiction, some people have, I am sad to say, committed suicide? That loss far outweighs the £60 million estimated cost to the economy.
Yes, I do, and I will come on to that later in my speech. It is a massive issue. Some individuals, because they can see no way out of their gambling addiction and feel that they have nowhere to go, consider suicide, and it is problematic if they do not get the support that they require.
I welcome services such as those provided by GamCare and by organisations such as Gambling Leap, which was founded by Fife resident Colin Brown. Drawing on his own experience with gambling, which cost him more than £250,000, Colin launched Gambling Leap to support others and help free them from that addiction.
Organisations such as Gambling Leap are an important part of tackling the problem. We, and the Government, must consider our part in that. The introduction of a maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals in 2018 was a welcome step—but it was only a step.
I was pleased that, in 2020, the previous Conservative United Kingdom Government reviewed the Gambling Act 2005, and that, in 2023, it published a white paper on gambling. I welcome that the new Labour UK Government has looked at and is prepared to implement much of what is in the white paper.
However, the Scottish Government also has a role to play in tackling the issue. There has to be wider recognition of gambling and of NHS Scotland’s concerns when it comes to supporting individuals.
The suicide prevention action plan is about ensuring that people are able to access the correct treatment across health and social care services. However, it is a problem that we still do not have any specialist national health service clinics for people with a gambling addiction in Scotland.
I urge the Scottish Government to recognise the challenges of gambling addiction and the damage that it can cause to so many people’s lives, and to ensure that every community has access to the high-quality support services that will fully support their needs. I look forward to the minister saying that that is the case when she makes her speech.
17:24
I, too, pay tribute to Clare Adamson for lodging her motion and bringing to the chamber a debate on this important issue, and to Stuart McMillan for all the work that he has done over recent years.
I want to speak in the debate not just because the issue affects many of my constituents—as is the case for many constituencies across urban Scotland and beyond—but because it is an area of public policy and concern in our society that we do not talk about enough. There is—quite rightly and understandably—an emphasis, and debate and discussion, on the challenges that we face as a result of addiction to alcohol and illegal drugs, but gambling does not seem to get the same attention. I appreciate that it is slightly different, but for those who are affected, it is just as damaging, and—as the motion sets out, and as other members have articulated—it is a significant concern in our constituencies.
As my colleague said, in approaching how we engage with and assist those who are experiencing gambling addiction, it should be treated as a health issue, from a person-centred perspective. However, we, as a Parliament and as a society, should perhaps spend more time considering how to work collaboratively with our colleagues in the UK Parliament, and beyond the jurisdiction of the UK, on addressing the prevalence of gambling addiction in our society.
All the main streets in my constituency have a bookies. If you go on the internet, gambling is advertised there. All our major sports are now disproportionately dominated by gambling advertising. The Premier League in England has, commendably, committed to try to remove gambling companies as the main shirt sponsor, from next season onwards. Whether that transpires or not, we have still to see, but major football clubs, and indeed leagues, are currently sponsored by those companies.
I appreciate that that is because gambling has a relationship with sport through the process of putting bets on—the whole concept of gambling is, in many cases, related to sport. Nonetheless, we are getting to a situation where that needs serious attention. Most regulation of gambling is reserved, whether it is through the Gambling Commission or hard regulation in law, but we should think about the soft power that the Scottish Government could use.
As a result of a members’ business debate that I led last year, we now have a ministerial round table on Scottish football. Can that do more? What more can the Government do on engaging with public policy on town centre regeneration? Are there planning law considerations that could be utilised? In engaging with the UK Government, what more can be done about gambling online?
To give credit where it is absolutely due, we have an ally in our former colleague, Ruth Davidson, who has done a lot of work on the issue in the House of Lords. The minister may want to engage with her, and with other politicians in the UK Parliament, on how we do more to tackle this very serious and growing issue with regard to the damage that it is causing and its prevalence in our everyday lives.
17:28
I thank Clare Adamson for bringing the debate to the chamber, which provides us with the opportunity to speak about an issue that has consequences for individuals, families and communities across Scotland.
Although gambling can often be portrayed as a harmless leisure activity, gambling disorder is a significant issue, which, for thousands of people, carries serious risks and devastating consequences. The motion for debate highlights some of the figures: notably, that around
“1% of the adult population ... is ... experiencing severe gambling problems, with a further 3.8% at risk”.
Tens of thousands of people across Scotland are living with the serious consequences of gambling harms, and we know that those consequences can go far beyond personal finances. Gambling can, and does, destroy lives. The impacts include job loss, unmanageable debt, mental and physical ill health, relationship breakdown, and, in the most tragic circumstances, suicide. Those harms are not abstract—they are present in all our communities.
Alexander Stewart highlighted the example of Colin Brown, who is a former Fife Council worker who has shared his story in partnership with GamCare Scotland to highlight the services that are available for those who are struggling with gambling addiction.
Colin was a promising young footballer, and he would bet on matches, at times stealing from his mum to fund the bets. When he started working, he used loans and credit cards to fund his addiction, spending hours in bookies. He got to the point where he felt that it was taking over his life. Colin left his job and moved abroad, but he still found himself hunting for casinos.
Despite significant losses, he continued to gamble until 2023, when he took a different approach to tackling his addiction. He began self-improvement practices such as meditation, listening to podcasts and cold water therapy. He also—importantly—shared his story so that he could connect with others in similar situations, and they could see someone who had gone through the same thing. He is an example of how important it can be for people to try different types of support and not to give up hope, and how someone can recognise the problems that they have and try to address those problems in various ways.
I join other members in commending organisations such as GamCare and the John Hartson Foundation, which are doing life-saving work. Alongside dedicated organisations like those, however, we need a co-ordinated, properly funded public health response that is backed by robust data.
Although the Scottish Government’s commitment to a public health approach is welcome, we need clarity on how that is being delivered on the ground. Where, and how, is support being signposted? Are general practitioners and front-line services trained to spot the signs and make referrals? Are we collecting and publishing data locally so that we can better understand the scale of the problem? Without that evidence base, it is difficult to assess the adequacy of support services.
We should also recognise that gambling harms are not experienced equally. People in deprived areas are more likely to be affected, and women are disproportionately impacted by the gambling of others. Gambling harm frequently co-exists with other challenges, including poor mental health and alcohol misuse. In areas of social deprivation, we need to acknowledge the layered nature of those harms and tailor our responses accordingly. That means ensuring that support services are well-publicised and accessible in every community.
I share the concern that is expressed in the motion about access to gambling products and the aggressive marketing of those platforms. Whether it is through applications, online games, social media integration or television adverts, gambling is becoming increasingly normalised and alarmingly accessible, in particular to younger people, and, in my view, the sector is now targeting younger women more.
The UK Government is taking some positive measures—for example, through the statutory levy on casino and betting operator profits, which will be used for NHS-led treatment and support for problem gambling, and through stake limits for online slots for younger people, but we have to ask whether more needs to be done.
We should be clear that we are talking about a highly profitable industry that invests millions in advertising, often targeting vulnerable people. Online platforms in particular have changed the landscape and the nature of addiction. If we are truly to take a public health approach, we need action across Governments and across sectors.
For the people who are battling problem gambling, we need to see the collection of better data, improved signposting, and properly funded local support. We have to ensure that people can access help when and where they need it, in a way that enables them to respond positively.
17:33
I had intended to come to the chamber just to listen to colleagues, but I have pressed the button because I wanted to highlight a couple of points.
Alexander Stewart spoke about the white paper on gambling that was produced by the previous UK Government. The minister at the time was Caroline Nokes. When I spoke to colleagues in Westminster at the time, they were very positive about Caroline Nokes and her actions and views, and the fact that she seemed to get it—she seemed to understand how important legislation would be in order to help people.
Sadly, the proposed gambling legislation did not go forward, but the new UK Government now has the opportunity to deliver on that, as the issue is reserved. I welcome any actions and activities that are going to help people in this regard—I do not think that anyone would disagree. Tackling the issue is hugely important. Claire Baker is right that the gambling sector seems to target deprived communities. People want a way out, and to try to regain their life. For some, sadly, it is about chasing the next win, which is a huge problem.
Ben Macpherson spoke about online gambling services. I know that for some territories around the world, gambling is one of their main economic drivers. Öland, which is between Sweden and Finland, is one example—a lot of online gaming is based there. It is a small island community, which the Deputy Presiding Officer will know well, given his island links. That is an important aspect, and I accept the point—and the challenge—that we need to look at the issue not just in a Scottish or UK perspective but in the context of what is happening elsewhere. There will be some pushback on that, because of the sector’s economic importance to some areas.
Clare Adamson spoke about fixed-odds betting terminals. I was previously a member of the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee, where I championed the need to get the powers over FOBTs transferred to this Parliament. It struck me at the time that one company in particular—William Hill—had started to engage with MSPs. Others did as well, but it was mostly that one. The company, which sponsored football and the Ayr gold cup, along with other activities, had not done so before, but then it started to lobby all MSPs to try to get across the message that if the powers over FOBTs were to come to this Parliament, and the stake went from what it was down to £2, jobs would be lost and facilities would shut.
That has not happened. Since the Scotland Act 2016 was passed, we have those powers and the stake has gone down to £2. However, William Hill has stopped engaging with the Parliament, because it does not see it as a challenge, or a potential threat, any more. Ben Macpherson made a good point that we need to talk about the issue much more, and I very much agree. On the need for a public health approach, too, I absolutely agree, but it has to happen across the four countries of the UK, because there are both reserved powers and the responsibilities that lie with this Parliament.
I have one final point. There is one meeting that will stay with me for the remainder of my life, and that was a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. It was a Thursday evening, and I was heading back from Parliament. Some of the testimonies that I heard from people in that room were absolutely harrowing, and some of the folk in the room also told me about people who had committed suicide. We have, therefore, to take a public health approach across Parliaments, because it is not just about trying to deal with gambling—it is, to a huge extent, about saving lives.
I thank Clare Adamson for bringing the debate to the chamber, because we certainly need to talk about these issues more. Today’s debate is about gambling addiction specifically, but that can potentially lead people into alcohol and drugs misuse, so it is, in fact, about saving lives.
I invite Jenni Minto to respond to the debate.
17:38
I, too, thank Clare Adamson for raising this important topic in Parliament, and I thank every member who has taken part in the debate, because it has been really helpful.
As Clare Adamson said, gambling addiction is a serious public health issue. As we have heard from every member who has contributed, it affects not only people who gamble, but their families and relationships, communities and wider society. As Clare Adamson and other members said, gambling exacerbates health inequalities—I think that it was Claire Baker who specifically highlighted that—with the burden of harm being borne by those already facing disadvantage. Those who gamble tend to have lower levels of mental wellbeing in comparison with those who do not, and gambling can, sadly, even lead to an increased risk of suicide, as both Alexander Stewart and Stuart McMillan mentioned.
Anyone can be harmed by gambling, and it is estimated that at least six people are directly affected by the person who is experiencing gambling harms, with women more likely to be one of the others affected.
I am also aware that women could be gambling in a hidden context, which Alexander Stewart talked about. It is a wider harm that is often overlooked. We need to ensure that those people know—
On that point, does the minister share my concern about the targeted nature of some advertising? We see a lot of the betting apps being used in sports programmes and on those kinds of platforms, but a targeted-to-women advert is usually about the friendship group and having fun. Sparkles and characters are used to lure women into that feeling, but at the end of the day it is just gambling.
I thank Clare Adamson for her intervention. I was trying to work out a way of introducing that side of things, so I thank her for commenting on that. When watching certain television programmes, the number of different styles and colours that are used in the adverts is noticeable and, as Clare Adamson said, there is a pulling in through friendship.
I have met the Advertising Standards Authority to talk about that. Sometimes, as a switch-off, I play games on my phone, and there were a couple of adverts on there that I was really concerned about. I felt that they were being directed specifically at young people, so the authority was able to have a look at that. It is important that, in our roles, if we spot such things, we know the right people and can emphasise to them the damage that could be done.
Along the same lines, I welcome the recent launch of the Aila website, which has been developed by the RCA Trust and Simon Community Scotland to provide a resource that is focused on women’s experiences of gambling-related harms. It is also a source for finding support when it is needed, and it has advice on how to provide professional support to women in need.
As I have highlighted, it is important that our children are protected from the harms of gambling. I am concerned, as are many members, about the reports of increasing numbers of children experiencing gambling-related harm. A number of members talked about the impact of children’s games, and we need to be aware of that. I welcome the work of Fast Forward to develop an early intervention and prevention programme, providing workshops, training and resources for children, young people, parents and carers, practitioners and communities for gambling-related harm across Scotland.
In April 2020, the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, along with partners in the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, academia and the third sector, convened a national gambling harm working group to develop a Scottish public health approach to reduce gambling-related harms. Critically, that included holding engagement sessions earlier this year with those with lived experience and third sector stakeholders to inform our approach. Their voices and experience were welcomed, and I thank them for their advice.
As another part of that work, Public Health Scotland has also published a healthcare needs assessment that describes what is needed for gambling treatment services, from local recovery support through to specialist clinical input. Last year, Ms Todd and I met Glasgow City Council, which, between 2022 and 2023, led a pilot of a whole-system approach to tackling gambling harm that demonstrated the complexity of the local system and the number of factors in gambling-related harms, including, as members have mentioned, the number of betting shops on our high streets.
Even though it is there in full view, we know that gambling is a hidden condition that is highly stigmatising and can have a significant impact on the mental health of individuals and their families.
As Ben Macpherson, Alexander Stewart and Stuart McMillan said, we do not talk about gambling enough and we need a person-centred approach. Just under two years ago, I was at a gambling harms event where I listened to a very personal testimony, which highlighted to me the stigma and embarrassment that that individual experienced. He made it clear that it is a public health issue and it should be treated as a public health issue.
I note Clare Adamson’s and Ben Macpherson’s comments about football and the unique social role that football clubs play in our society. I often say that football is on the front pages, the back pages and the centre pages of our newspapers. I note the round table on football that Ben Macpherson has highlighted and I will speak to Ms Todd about his suggestion about including gambling as a topic there.
In July 2024, Public Health Scotland published a briefing on gambling and suicide that outlines some of the work that the Scottish Government is doing with Public Health Scotland to tackle the issue. I also note how important cross-parliamentary work is.
I welcome the introduction of a statutory levy on the gambling industry that will provide much-needed funding for the hidden issue. I have been in written dialogue with Baroness Twycross about the levy, and I note Ben Macpherson’s suggestion about engaging with Ruth Davidson. The levy is a significant step forward. The expectation is that Scotland will receive a fair allocation of funding for treatment and prevention activity this year. I look forward to working with the Welsh and UK Governments on that.
Improving health and reducing health inequalities across Scotland remains a clear ambition for the Government. In order to tackle the mounting challenge, the Scottish Government and COSLA, in collaboration with wider partners, are developing a population health framework to take a cross-Government and cross-sector approach to improve the key building blocks of health. The framework will consider what action can be taken to mitigate the socioeconomic drivers of ill health in order to build a Scotland in which our places and communities can positively support health and wellbeing. The work that we are doing on gambling will directly support that framework.
I look forward to working with the Parliament and more widely on the issue in the coming year.
Meeting closed at 17:47.Previous
Decision Time