Parents vie for gambling law reforms after son's tragic death

The parents of a 24-year-old man who took his own life after struggling with gambling addiction hope an inquest into his death will inspire faster reform of Britain's permissive laws.

Jack Ritchie began betting when he was still in school, using dinner money to gamble on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) - machines commonly referred to as the "crack cocaine of gambling".

His addiction escalated as he got older. His parents, Liz and Charles, believed he had an undiagnosed gambling disorder that should have been spotted by companies who took his bets.

A two-week hearing, which began on Monday this week, will examine the role of gambling in Jack's death. Speaking to the BBC this week, Liz Ritchie said:

"A very senior legal professional will be listening to the evidence and we're really grateful to him. He's listed it for two weeks which gives time for the evidence to be heard and the politicians are listening."

His parents are urging the government not to delay "life-saving" law changes. The UK Government has pledged a review of Britain's gambling laws but this has been delayed several times.

Parliamentarians have also come under fire for accepting gifts from betting companies, with concern gambling industry representatives are attempting to 'buy friends' and ward off tougher regulation.

This week, the Mail Online revealed that more than 30 MPs accepted gifts of various kinds worth more than £100,000 over a period of just six months.

Six of the MPs targeted were members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on betting and gaming, and three were warned against introducing tough new laws.

A spokesman for CARE said:

"Gambling industry nobbling of MPs contributes to already high levels of mistrust among the public. We sincerely hope that their efforts will not dampen the will of MPs to reign in the predatory betting industry.

"The evidence of gambling harms in the UK paints a troubling picture. Stricter regulation is desperately needed, for the sake of vulnerable problem gamblers and children."