Agenda and minutes

The apologies of Councillor Powell-Vaughan were noted.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2024 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Panel meeting on 14 November 2024  be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Panel noted the report of the Scrutiny Manager and considered the information provided by the invited guests which would be used as evidence in the review.

Summary of information provided:

1) Gambling harms - a whole system based approach to preventing harms – Professor Heather Wardle, Professor of Gambling Research and Policy at the University of Glasgow.

A presentation was delivered by Professor Heather Wardle, outlining the importance of implementing a whole system based approach to preventing gambling harms.

Key points raised in the presentation included:

• Determinants of gambling and gambling harms:

• Systematic reframing of gambling as leisure and allowing industry to use same practices for promotion and marketing as other leisure commodities – despite it being health harming. Estimate that between 1% - 5% of people in nations globally experience gambling disorder and many more experience harms; especially including affected others – you can experience harms from gambling without being a disordered gambler – relates to the nature of the product and the experience.
• Harms paradox evidence – those from certain socio-economic or demographic backgrounds are far less likely to gamble but those that do are more likely to experience harm – potential role of gambling accelerating and exacerbating inequalities and thus is a threat to sustainable development goals more generally – this is specifically related to how the global and corporate gambling industry is developing and political actions (or inactions in some cases) in response to this.

• This has implications for prevention – It needs a whole systems approach to reduce harm; it needs different regulatory approaches; It needs global co-operation.
• A whole systems approach is required because gambling harms impact so many areas including – Crime, work and employment, cultural, financial, relationships, mental and physical health. It therefore needs a multi-sectoral response.
• Gambling harms have a direct impact on areas that local government is responsible for addressing – Poverty, health and wellbeing, gender equality, economic growth, inequalities and community safety. Those who are most vulnerable to gambling harms are also more likely to be in contact with or receiving support from councils. 
• There is widespread recognition that the current policy environment is not optimal for a fully realised public health prevention strategy. However, it was also recognised that there is an opportunity to start building towards this ambition, using the statutory levy on gambling operators to implement stronger, robust and independent systems and to start work in some priority actions areas whilst a more comprehensive and commonly-held Prevention Strategy is developed.

• Key features of the system proposed:

• Actions needed now to deliver better systems and strategies going forward:

• Concluding remarks:
  • Instituting effective prevention may require wholesale reframing of the way gambling is considered.
  • Needs a systems-based approach, and recognition of taking action across the whole system; a multi-sectoral approach.
  • Regional and local-level co-ordinated action is possible and it is possible to make in-roads in the immediate term.

2) North East Gambling Harms Programme – Alice Beadle, Public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.