'Gambling harms should be taken as seriously as tobacco harms'

Former gambling industry insiders are calling for gambling-related harms to be given the same scrutiny as tobacco-related harms.

Fintan Drury, previously a senior figure in Paddy Power, told the Times:

“The tobacco industry… for decades, was [resisting] the idea that their product was the primary cause of lung cancer."

He added: “The huge financial institutions need to be looking at the behaviours of any gambling companies that they are investing in."

Drury heads up campaign group Stop Gambling Harm alongside Stewart Kenny, a co-founder and former CEO of Paddy Power, and Ian Armitage, another former associate of the company.

Stop Gambling Harm exists to put a stop to the most damaging practices in the gambling sector. The group are calling for more restrictions for under-25’s, strict rules on advertising, compulsory deposit limits and mandatory separation of sports betting and casino apps.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs a parliamentary group on gambling-related harms, supports the idea of viewing the gambling industry through the same lens as the tobacco industry.

Ms Harris commented: “We only won on the tobacco argument when they started talking about it being a public health issue. Problem gambling is a mental health and a public health issue.”

Evidence shows that the addictive nature of online gambling can have serious consequences, with strong links between gambling addiction and debt, family breakdown, and even suicide.

The Government has promised reform of UK gambling laws, with proposals expected early in 2022. A spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport told the Times:

“We are undertaking the first major review of gambling laws in 15 years to make sure they are fit for the digital age. We are determined to protect vulnerable people at risk of harm while giving adults the freedom to choose how to gamble safely.”

A spokesman for CARE said: "We eagerly anticipate more detail from the government on potential changes to the Gambling Act 2005 and will be holding Ministers to account in their promise to protect the most vulnerable.”

For more information on our work, visit out cause page: CARE for Gambling.