Previous reference: Minute 55 (2021/22)

Over the past 12 months, a multi-agency Gambling Harms Reduction partnership have been working together to reduce the harms associated with gambling. The report of the Director of Public Health, Document “AA” describes the work so far and outlines the proposed next steps.

Members are asked to note the contents of the report and provide views and feedback on the existing work and proposals outlined in Document “AA”.

(Sarah Exall – 07855 177158)

Members were advised that over the past 12 months, a multi-agency Gambling Harms Reduction partnership had been working together to reduce the harms associated with gambling. The report of the Director of Public Health, Document “AA” described the work so far and outlined the proposed next steps.

The report revealed that gambling was a major industry in England and a public health issue with impacts on individuals, families and communities. 

Statistical data on the numbers of Bradford residents at risk of and experiencing problem gambling or gambling related harms and the status of gambling premises across the district was provided. Treatment options available in the district were also reported together with licensing activities undertaken to mitigate problem gambling issues.

Following a comprehensive presentation, the Chair thanked those involved for their excellent work locally whilst acknowledging there was still a crucial role for the Government to play.

The report revealed that following a review of school based resources appropriate resources were not found to be available and those services had now been commissioned.  The nature of those resources was questioned and it was explained that material sponsored by the gambling industry was not felt to be appropriate and work had been undertaken with the charity, Gambling with Lives, to work with education providers.  That work had been undertaken in December 2022 and material would be distributed during the current school term.  The work would be evaluated and considered alongside data from the Born in Bradford’s Age of Wonder survey. It was confirmed that the Age of Wonder was a three-year data collection process and information would be released in the summer. 

A trial undertaken with Kings College London to upskill and empower the adult social care workforce to help early identification of gambling harms and to support vulnerable individuals was discussed.  It was noted that the trial had been completed and that a number of adult social care staff had not felt confident about raising gambling issues with service users.  Members suggested that both adult and children’s care staff should be aware of issues and able to ask questions at an appropriate time and if relevant as opposed to a box ticking exercise aimed at all service users.

Measures undertaken by the Council’s Licensing Team were discussed.  It was noted that the team acted on any reports of gambling premises which were not enforcing age restrictions but questioned it checks were carried out prior to those reports being received and similar to test purchasing which was carried out for alcohol sales by West Yorkshire Trading Standards.  The Council’s Emergency Planning and Licensing Manager confirmed that in addition to action on reports the service did carry out random compliance checks and no issues had been found. 

A Member questioned work undertaken to ensure the gambling industry was held to account if young people were entering their premises; she questioned if online gambling was monitored and the work undertaken with schools to make pupils aware of gambling issues as opposed to just dictating that they should not gamble.

In response it was explained that the Licensing Team would investigate any breaches of gambling premises licences such as young people being on their premises. The number of compliance checks undertaken was not available at the meeting and it was agreed to circulate that information to Members.

Awareness training for young people had been developed in conjunction with the charity Gambling with Lives to enable young people to understand potential dangers.  The Gambling with Lives team included persons with lived experience of gambling and with an awareness of how to engage with young people and to reduce the stigma attached to problem gambling.

It was explained that it was very difficult to monitor or control on line gambling and that licences were held at a national level by the Gambling Commission.

A Member reported his belief that most underage gambling was undertaken on line.  He felt gambling premises were very good at spotting underage people and would challenge them on the premises.  He felt it was easy for young people to engage with on line gambling as rigorous checks were not undertaken.

The report referred to options for gamblers to self-exclude and Members were concerned that on line companies enticed customers who had excluded with free bets or spins. 

Officers were thanked for the work conducted and it was suggested that the charity GamCare be invited to a future meeting to help Members to understand the work they were undertaking and the impact it had on school pupils.

Resolved –

(1)  Members thanked officers for the work undertaken in this area.

(2)  This Committee requests that the progress against the Gambling Cross-Departmental action plan, be presented in 12 months and to also specifically focus on clear outcomes; with representatives from Gamcare also invited to attend the meeting.

ACTION: Director of Public Health / Overview and Scrutiny Lead