Displaying items by tag: problem gambling

Culture secretary Nicky Morgan has said that she hopes the Football Association will ‘reconsider’ after it allowed a betting company to broadcast FA Cup matches, more than two years after it had said it would end such partnerships. Bet365, which allows fans to watch play if they place a bet via their app, has been showing matches since the start of last season. The partnership drew criticism from viewers and campaigners last weekend, when all matches were delayed by a minute to promote the Duke of Cambridge’s mental health charity.

For many former members of the armed forces, the transition from active service to civilian life can be challenging. It is well known that transitioning veterans are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour like excessive gambling. Research from outside the UK has consistently demonstrated that problem gambling is a more prevalent issue in armed forces populations than among civilians. Recently the Bishop of St Albans was told by the MoD that it had not funded or conducted any research on problem gambling among service personnel or veterans, but knew of a study suggesting veterans are at an increased risk of developing gambling problems. Earl Howe said that gambling has serious implications, both as a potential security risk and in connection with issues of mental health.

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) are called the crack cocaine of gambling. In April the government reduced the maximum stake on FOBTs to £2. Before then William Hill Bookmakers, with 2,300 shops and 12,500 employees, relied on FOBT machines for over 50% of their turnover, particularly in inner-city and urban areas where they attracted younger customers. Now William Hill are to close 700 venues, and will apply voluntary redundancy and redeployment measures. The Safer Online Gambling Group said, ‘Perhaps William Hill can deploy its staff into treating addicts and supporting those who are vulnerable across their other betting outlets’. The NHS treats gambling addicts as young as 13 at their national Problem Gambling Clinic