0:00:00 > 0:00:01to serve their sentence abroad. I would like to assure him, this is a
0:00:01 > 0:00:10key focus and we will continue to pursue it.Order. Urgent question,
0:00:10 > 0:00:16Tom Watson.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Will the Secretary of State make a
0:00:16 > 0:00:23statement on gaming machines and social responsibility?Minister,
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Tracy Crouch.Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House this
0:00:27 > 0:00:32morning I published a consultation on proposals to changes to gaming
0:00:32 > 0:00:35machines and social responsibility measures across the gambling
0:00:35 > 0:00:40industry. The consultation will run for 12 weeks during which the
0:00:40 > 0:00:42general public, industry and interested parties can voice their
0:00:42 > 0:00:47views. I appreciate some I not understand why we run a consultation
0:00:47 > 0:00:50but this is the right process to proceed if we are to address this
0:00:50 > 0:00:54issue thoroughly and properly. The government announced a review of
0:00:54 > 0:00:59gaming machines and social responsibility measures in October
0:00:59 > 0:01:0420 16. I am grateful to those who responded, including former addicts,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07faith groups, local authorities and the bookmakers. The objective was to
0:01:07 > 0:01:11make sure we have the right balance between a sector that can grow and
0:01:11 > 0:01:14contribute to the economy and one that is socially responsible to do
0:01:14 > 0:01:18all it could to protect consumers and communities. While our
0:01:18 > 0:01:21consultation sets out a package of measures to protect vulnerable
0:01:21 > 0:01:27people from harm, the main area of interest has been on gaming
0:01:27 > 0:01:33machines. We believe the current regulation is inappropriate to
0:01:33 > 0:01:37achieve our objective of protecting consumers and wider communities. We
0:01:37 > 0:01:40are therefore consulting on regulatory changes to the maximum
0:01:40 > 0:01:45state looking at options between £50 and £2 in order to reduce the
0:01:45 > 0:01:49potential for large losses and the potential harmful impact on the
0:01:49 > 0:01:53player, their families and the wider community. The factors which
0:01:53 > 0:01:57influence the extent of harm to the player of wider than one product or
0:01:57 > 0:02:01a limited set of parameters, such as steaks and prizes and include
0:02:01 > 0:02:07factors around the player, the environment and the products. We are
0:02:07 > 0:02:10consulting on corresponding social responsibility measures on player
0:02:10 > 0:02:13protections in the online sector and a package of measures on gambling
0:02:13 > 0:02:19advertising. We want to see industry regulator and charities continuing
0:02:19 > 0:02:23to drive this social responsibility agenda to make sure all is being
0:02:23 > 0:02:28done to protect players and those affected can get the treatment and
0:02:28 > 0:02:38help they needed.Tom Watson.Thank you for granting this urgent
0:02:38 > 0:02:43question. I would like to praise the Minister for the manner in which she
0:02:43 > 0:02:46has conducted this review. She has kept me under the members of the
0:02:46 > 0:02:50House informed through the process and has shown exemplary attention to
0:02:50 > 0:02:54detail. It is a shame she doesn't have a completely free hand in this
0:02:54 > 0:03:00policy. Because we think the outcome could have been very different, Mr
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Speaker. The response from the government after a year-long process
0:03:05 > 0:03:11of delay, after delay and hundreds of submissions from industry, local
0:03:11 > 0:03:13government, charities, campaigners and church groups, is deeply
0:03:13 > 0:03:17disappointing. Instead of taking a firm and reasonable action of
0:03:17 > 0:03:21counteracting the problems of these machines, the government has kicked
0:03:21 > 0:03:23this process further into the long grass and announced another
0:03:23 > 0:03:29consultation beyond the budget. Mr Speaker, let's look at the Public
0:03:29 > 0:03:35policy challenge we face in this House. 430,000 people addicted to
0:03:35 > 0:03:43gambling. Up a third in three years. A further 2 million problem gamblers
0:03:43 > 0:03:48at risk of developing an addiction. £1.8 billion lost on these machines
0:03:48 > 0:03:53each year, an increase of 79% over the last eight years. Gambling
0:03:53 > 0:04:00industry whose yield the amount they win in bets, has increased to £13.8
0:04:00 > 0:04:08billion, up from £8.3 billion in 2009. But they only paid £10 million
0:04:08 > 0:04:16for education and treatment services on a voluntary levy this year. Worst
0:04:16 > 0:04:22of all, 450,000 children who gamble at least once a week. Mr Speaker,
0:04:22 > 0:04:28this situation requires action now. There is an old maxim that the
0:04:28 > 0:04:35bookies always win. And they have one again today. Their shares are up
0:04:35 > 0:04:39and their lobbyists were grinning from ear to ear on their TV
0:04:39 > 0:04:43interviews this morning. We have consistently said to the government,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47our gambling laws are no longer fit for purpose. There has been an
0:04:47 > 0:04:51explosion of online and digital platform gambling that the current
0:04:51 > 0:04:56act could not have anticipated. We have offered to work with the
0:04:56 > 0:04:59government on a cross-party basis, to make our laws fit for the digital
0:04:59 > 0:05:03age. This report could have been a significant starting point for the
0:05:03 > 0:05:07process. Because even by the most conservative estimates, the
0:05:07 > 0:05:11associated harms and cost of a gambling addiction is believed to be
0:05:11 > 0:05:16over £1 billion a year and I bet the true figure is far higher. The
0:05:16 > 0:05:21impact is not just felt to the losses gamblers accrue, but through
0:05:21 > 0:05:25the NHS and treatment costs in our communities, as families struggle
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and breakdown and in our police forces dealing with the crime. I
0:05:28 > 0:05:33would like to ask the Minister, what discussions did she have with the
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Home Office on how to measure gambling related crime? Does the
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Minister know how many people have received counselling or treatment
0:05:41 > 0:05:45for gambling addiction in the last 12 months when her review started.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Does the Minister know how much treatment for gambling addiction
0:05:48 > 0:05:55cost the NHS each year. She said, on the number of occasions from the
0:05:55 > 0:05:58dispatch box, the gambling industry has not done enough to fund
0:05:58 > 0:06:04research, education and treatment of gambling related harm. But again,
0:06:04 > 0:06:09she failed to bring the industry to heal. She could have introduced a
0:06:09 > 0:06:14compulsory levy and we would have supported her. Mr Speaker, this is a
0:06:14 > 0:06:18missed opportunity. A missed opportunity to settle the issues of
0:06:18 > 0:06:23these machines once and for all. Quite frankly, we expected more. The
0:06:23 > 0:06:30government had a strong hand to play, but this is a busted flush.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Minister.Mr Speaker, can I thank the honourable gentleman for his
0:06:34 > 0:06:40initial kind words at the start of his speech. I am pleased to see his
0:06:40 > 0:06:47conversion on this issue. He was minister in the government that took
0:06:47 > 0:06:50through legislation that liberalised gambling and cause harm many people
0:06:50 > 0:06:55have suffered as a consequence of these machines. It is this
0:06:55 > 0:07:00government that is taking action on this issue. I appreciate his
0:07:00 > 0:07:05concerns about the fact that this is a consultation. But it is clearly
0:07:05 > 0:07:11the fact the Labour government, in 2005, rushed through the gambling
0:07:11 > 0:07:15act without paying proper focus on the issue of these machines, that
0:07:15 > 0:07:20have led to the proliferation of these machines. They didn't exist in
0:07:20 > 0:07:251997 when the Labour Party came into power. It is this government that
0:07:25 > 0:07:30has recognised the harm that has been caused and is taking action on
0:07:30 > 0:07:35this issue. There is a consultation, it is due process and I expect
0:07:35 > 0:07:40people to contribute to that process.May I welcome the
0:07:40 > 0:07:43consultation, particularly as I think there is information now about
0:07:43 > 0:07:49the effect of category B machines, which did not exist when the select
0:07:49 > 0:07:55committee look that this about five years ago. Will she confirm the
0:07:55 > 0:07:58government's position remains that any decisions taken in the future
0:07:58 > 0:08:03will be evidence -based?I can confirm that to be the case. The
0:08:03 > 0:08:10call for evidence, a lot of people'sviews on this matter, but it
0:08:10 > 0:08:12has been made clear we need to take action on this issue. The
0:08:12 > 0:08:18Constitution sets out for different options, but the one thing that is
0:08:18 > 0:08:24certain from the call for evidence, is the status quo will not be
0:08:24 > 0:08:28maintained.I fear the government have missed another opportunity to
0:08:28 > 0:08:34tackle this problem. By announcing yet another consultation, they are
0:08:34 > 0:08:41attempting to kick this further into the long grass. The move to cut the
0:08:41 > 0:08:44maximum state, while welcome, it doesn't go far enough and Scotland,
0:08:44 > 0:08:49£4 billion is spent every year on 2000 gaming machines and this is at
0:08:49 > 0:08:54a time when more people are being identified as being problem or at
0:08:54 > 0:09:04risk gamblers.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08If this Parliament is willing to act, the Scottish Parliament is.
0:09:08 > 0:09:15Will the minister start the process of devolving all gambling powers to
0:09:15 > 0:09:17the Scottish Parliament?We have already devolved a number of powers
0:09:17 > 0:09:24to the Scottish Parliament, of which they have not taken up a number of
0:09:24 > 0:09:29the powers.Can I congratulate the minister on her announcements today?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Does she not find the hypocrisy of the members opposite astonishing
0:09:32 > 0:09:36when it was then that meant that doubled the number of fixed odds
0:09:36 > 0:09:41betting terminals in shops, tried to withdraw powers of local councils to
0:09:41 > 0:09:47stop betting shops being placed on high streets, does she find their
0:09:47 > 0:09:53attitude extraordinary at this stage?I would be perfectly honest,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57I find the attitude disappointing. We have worked on a cross-party
0:09:57 > 0:10:02basis for a number of years. I have poured heart and soul into the
0:10:02 > 0:10:06consultation. We have taken the issue much further forward than it
0:10:06 > 0:10:10has ever been before. This government is taking action on an
0:10:10 > 0:10:16area of gambling that brings a great deal of concern into our communities
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and affects individuals, families and society as a whole and this
0:10:18 > 0:10:27government is taking it forward and dealing with it.I refer to my entry
0:10:27 > 0:10:32in the register of interests. I am a member of the co-party group on
0:10:32 > 0:10:36horse racing. Horse racing relies heavily on the levy from bookmakers
0:10:36 > 0:10:42but also on advertising sponsorship and media rights. Will she assure me
0:10:42 > 0:10:45that she will work with the industry, with horse racing, over
0:10:45 > 0:10:48the coming weeks to ensure that whilst protecting those who are
0:10:48 > 0:10:55vulnerable to gambling, we also protect jobs, investment, and
0:10:55 > 0:10:59economic benefits that my constituency receives for hosting
0:10:59 > 0:11:09the best racecourse in the country, Haydock Park.What my honourable
0:11:09 > 0:11:13friend in the department would not let me forget it is one of the
0:11:13 > 0:11:17largest racecourses in his constituency. We do not see any
0:11:17 > 0:11:21particularly negative impact of these changes to horse racing.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25Actually it may well encourage bookmakers and others to concentrate
0:11:25 > 0:11:30and focus more on horse racing.The honourable gentleman for Shipley is
0:11:30 > 0:11:35clutching a newspaper article from which no doubt he wishes to quote.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Can I urge the minister not to listen to the Shadow Secretary of
0:11:38 > 0:11:42State. He and I were both on the select committee that looked into
0:11:42 > 0:11:48these matters and he was that interested that he did not turn up
0:11:48 > 0:11:52to one evidence session. Perhaps if he had he would have been more
0:11:52 > 0:11:57knowledgeable on the subject. The gambling commission, over the
0:11:57 > 0:12:00summer, published its report into problem gambling and found that the
0:12:00 > 0:12:06highest levels of problem gambling were in spread betting. Then three
0:12:06 > 0:12:09betting on the betting exchange and then through paying poker in pubs
0:12:09 > 0:12:14and clubs. Then betting online on events like horse racing and
0:12:14 > 0:12:18greyhound racing. Then followed by gaming machines in bookmakers. Given
0:12:18 > 0:12:23that are much higher levels of problem gambling with unlimited
0:12:23 > 0:12:26stakes and unlimited potential winnings, if the Government is so
0:12:26 > 0:12:30obsessed with evidence, why is it just focusing so much on betting
0:12:30 > 0:12:34machines in bookmakers or is it plain to the gallery as most of us
0:12:34 > 0:12:44know it really is all about.-- gallery. Can I gently urge my
0:12:44 > 0:12:46honourable friend to read the consultation document that was
0:12:46 > 0:12:49published today. This is not just about public gamblers, it is also
0:12:49 > 0:12:53about those who may be at risk from harmful gambling. One thing we know
0:12:53 > 0:12:59is there are more people out there who are at risk of harmful gambling,
0:12:59 > 0:13:07of which the issue around this is just one of those. This delivers a
0:13:07 > 0:13:15whole package of measures to look at the whole risk it might cause.My
0:13:15 > 0:13:28constituency has 54 Fobts. We are deprived constituency. The gambling
0:13:28 > 0:13:32aware of report which came a sedative costing the UK 1.2 billion
0:13:32 > 0:13:37to look after those people who are victims of gambling who have become
0:13:37 > 0:13:41addicted and have various problems. What assessment has she done if the
0:13:41 > 0:13:46£50 option is chosen as far as the cost to the UK Government will be to
0:13:46 > 0:13:52look after the people who will still be affected by such a high stake?Mr
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Speaker, can I congratulate the honourable gentleman for the work he
0:13:55 > 0:14:00has done on this? He is a long-time campaigner around the issues of
0:14:00 > 0:14:05Fobts. He has done an excellent job of standing up for his constituents
0:14:05 > 0:14:09who have become victims of addiction to gambling. In terms of the options
0:14:09 > 0:14:16set out in the consultation paper, there are four options within it.
0:14:16 > 0:14:22£50 with £30, £20 and £2. Separate impact assessments have been
0:14:22 > 0:14:25published.I am pleased to hear the minister speaking about protecting
0:14:25 > 0:14:33the vulnerable from harm. The CS Jairo Paul says, the high stakes of
0:14:33 > 0:14:39Fobts have compounded the social issues perpetuated by gambling. This
0:14:39 > 0:14:44goes way beyond addicted gamblers to affect many families and children
0:14:44 > 0:14:47disastrously. Can I implore the minister to consider a reduction of
0:14:47 > 0:14:53£50 will not resolve the issue for those?I am grateful for my
0:14:53 > 0:14:57honourable friend was no comments it is clear that we have listened to
0:14:57 > 0:15:01all the public concerns about the risk of high stake gambling, which
0:15:01 > 0:15:04is why we have published this overall package of measures today. I
0:15:04 > 0:15:08would encourage her and others to make their views clear as part of
0:15:08 > 0:15:16the consultation.With the minister agree with me that were given the
0:15:16 > 0:15:20danger that people wanting to make large bets will be pushed online to
0:15:20 > 0:15:25the less regulated area, that perhaps they could consider
0:15:25 > 0:15:28extending the consultation to online equivalents like blackjack where
0:15:28 > 0:15:35thousands of pounds can be backed with one hand and then lost?The
0:15:35 > 0:15:39consultation does address the issue around online gambling. There is a
0:15:39 > 0:15:44huge amount of growth. As part of this package today we have announced
0:15:44 > 0:15:48we expect to see stricter protections in place as part of the
0:15:48 > 0:15:52licensing conditions for online gambling operators and so I hope she
0:15:52 > 0:16:00will look at those specific measures and respond accordingly.Thank you,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Mr Speaker. I am the other co-chairman of the all-party racing
0:16:03 > 0:16:08group. I have the honour of representing Cheltenham racecourse,
0:16:08 > 0:16:23which I would say is the best racecourse in the world. I am
0:16:23 > 0:16:30concerned that the transfers from Fobts would happen. Can I stress the
0:16:30 > 0:16:33importance to horse racing to the importance of bookmakers? That is
0:16:33 > 0:16:43the same across the world and you takes a decision, can I ask for full
0:16:43 > 0:16:48consultation so we do not throw the baby out with the bath water?There
0:16:48 > 0:16:51is no intention to damage the horse racing sector may encourage he and
0:16:51 > 0:16:56other members of the house to look at the letter that was sent to me by
0:16:56 > 0:17:01the chief Executive of Paddy Power who, himself recognises that this
0:17:01 > 0:17:04issue has become a toxic issue for the industry may well be driving
0:17:04 > 0:17:09punters away from the shops. This is something I know that members of the
0:17:09 > 0:17:12bookmaking industry are very keen to get involved with. There are
0:17:12 > 0:17:16certainly no intention to the horse racing or any other sporting
0:17:16 > 0:17:21industry.May I thank the Minister for the consultation paper which we
0:17:21 > 0:17:27will study with interest? Can I ask the minister one matter, if this
0:17:27 > 0:17:31results in losses to jobs in betting shops across the United Kingdom,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35will the minister carry out an impact assessment on what that will
0:17:35 > 0:17:39actually mean before she determines her final decision on this matter?
0:17:39 > 0:17:43In terms of television broadcasting, there are five and a half lines in
0:17:43 > 0:17:46their support on television broadcasting. Everyone knows it is
0:17:46 > 0:17:53gambling adverts that are doing more damage to people than probably
0:17:53 > 0:17:59Fobts.We will assess all the evidence we receive as part of the
0:17:59 > 0:18:04consultation. The impact assessment has been published looking at these
0:18:04 > 0:18:07matters. In terms of advertising and there are regulations in place
0:18:07 > 0:18:10around advertising cost we have announced as part of the package
0:18:10 > 0:18:18today that there will be an industry broadcast funded responsible
0:18:18 > 0:18:23gambling campaign. It is of a scare that is larger than any government
0:18:23 > 0:18:28public awareness campaign. We expect that to be prevalent within the
0:18:28 > 0:18:33parameters that you are allowed to have gambling adverts. It is a fact
0:18:33 > 0:18:37that you can see gambling adverts during live sporting events and we
0:18:37 > 0:18:41are addressing some of the issues around the tone and content of some
0:18:41 > 0:18:47of those adverts. It is there to say that while they may be annoying, in
0:18:47 > 0:18:51terms of content, not to anything good is beyond what they are allowed
0:18:51 > 0:18:58to do in terms of regulation. We will keep a close eye on that.Is my
0:18:58 > 0:19:01right honourable friend aware that many people would like to see the
0:19:01 > 0:19:08limits of fixed odds betting Sheen machines dropped. In my constituency
0:19:08 > 0:19:12we have 55 such machines and they have taken £90 million out of our
0:19:12 > 0:19:19economy. This money can frankly be spent elsewhere. Was he comment on
0:19:19 > 0:19:23the gambling industry in a deeply selfish attitude to become addicted
0:19:23 > 0:19:30to the profits that these machines generate and add addiction to the
0:19:30 > 0:19:35profits which has meant people getting addicted to this kind of
0:19:35 > 0:19:39gambling who are at the poorer end of the spectrum.It is deeply
0:19:39 > 0:19:45troubling. I'm grateful to my honourable friend's response. Many
0:19:45 > 0:19:51have been impacted by these machines and they should take a look at the
0:19:51 > 0:19:56consultation paper and replied that this is an opportunity to take a
0:19:56 > 0:19:59long hard look at themselves and look at the office to the British
0:19:59 > 0:20:02punter for that we should see what happens over the course of the next
0:20:02 > 0:20:1112 weeks.Mr Speaker, I recently visited a national clinic and
0:20:11 > 0:20:20commend the work done. This is the only such clinic in the United
0:20:20 > 0:20:23kingdom. Does the minister agree with me that more help needs to be
0:20:23 > 0:20:26riding for individuals of family who are affected with problem gambling?
0:20:26 > 0:20:30One way of doing this would be to put a statutory levy on the makers
0:20:30 > 0:20:40say they can do it with more than the millions of pounds in profit
0:20:40 > 0:20:48that they make. One can we do agree. We have put into the consultation
0:20:48 > 0:20:55paper is some issues around the levy. Bookmakers have to contribute
0:20:55 > 0:20:590.01% of their profits. If they did that there would be something in the
0:20:59 > 0:21:02region of £30 million to £40 million going into the issue. That is
0:21:02 > 0:21:06currently not happening across the board. In the consultation we have
0:21:06 > 0:21:09made it very clear we want to see that happen. If it does not happen
0:21:09 > 0:21:14then we will certainly consider the introduction of a mandatory levy.I
0:21:14 > 0:21:18strongly welcome consultation brought forward together and many of
0:21:18 > 0:21:25us are member the disastrous legislation on Fobts under the last
0:21:25 > 0:21:29government and that oppose all to bring in super casinos. I would urge
0:21:29 > 0:21:32the minister to look at online gambling, the situations where
0:21:32 > 0:21:37people can gamble repeatedly through the light night on online casinos
0:21:37 > 0:21:44whilst drinking.I am grateful to my honourable friend for these
0:21:44 > 0:21:49comments. We are looking at the issue around online gambling. As it
0:21:49 > 0:21:54stands at the moment, we are seeing about 10% of the adult population
0:21:54 > 0:22:00participating in online gambling and betting, of which around 5.1% of the
0:22:00 > 0:22:07players were problem gamblers. This compares to 11.5% of Fobt users, who
0:22:07 > 0:22:10are problem gamblers. While we have seen growth, we know whether current
0:22:10 > 0:22:20issues particularly live.-- where the current issues. On Thursday I
0:22:20 > 0:22:23visited gambling rehabilitation centre in my constituency which
0:22:23 > 0:22:27provides a 14 week programme for about half a dozen residents at time
0:22:27 > 0:22:32it is run by the Gordon Moody Association and demand for the
0:22:32 > 0:22:37service outstrips what they can offer. Will the minister commend the
0:22:37 > 0:22:41bike to work that the Gordon Moody Association does but also commit to
0:22:41 > 0:22:48a compulsory levy on the industry to fund vital work such as this?Mr
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Speaker, I would be very happy to commend the work that is being done
0:22:52 > 0:22:58in my constituency. We do know that there is this shortage of places
0:22:58 > 0:23:04that deal specifically with gambling addiction. -- a shortage was that we
0:23:04 > 0:23:07are speaking to colleagues within the Department of Health to ensure
0:23:07 > 0:23:11that happens. In answer to the previous question, we do think the
0:23:11 > 0:23:15industry should contribute more on a voluntary basis. If they do not we
0:23:15 > 0:23:20will consider mandatory levy.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24The Victoria Derbyshire programme this morning when the honourable
0:23:24 > 0:23:30lady spoke and then at 10:15am a man called Terry spoke and he said if
0:23:30 > 0:23:39stakes were just £2, he wouldn't have lost everything. On a vote, it
0:23:39 > 0:23:44would get through and also on a whipped vote, it would get through.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48I am grateful to my honourable friend for both television and
0:23:48 > 0:23:51witting advice. We are looking at these issues and the options are
0:23:51 > 0:23:57there. £2 is in the consultation paper and that is something there
0:23:57 > 0:24:04has been a great deal of public demand for. We are going through a
0:24:04 > 0:24:07consultation process. Everyone will be able to submit their views to
0:24:07 > 0:24:15that process and we will make a decision during next year.May I
0:24:15 > 0:24:19thank the Minister for the helpful way she has worked with me as chair
0:24:19 > 0:24:23of the all-party group to get us to the point we are now. And the
0:24:23 > 0:24:28Minister will be aware of my concerns on these machines about the
0:24:28 > 0:24:32addiction and the consequences of addiction. There is insufficient
0:24:32 > 0:24:35treatment for addicts and no residential treatment at all for
0:24:35 > 0:24:39women. There is potential for criminal activity to feed their
0:24:39 > 0:24:45habit, vandalism through frustration and a worrying opportunity for
0:24:45 > 0:24:47money-laundering. Addicts put pressure on the benefit system
0:24:47 > 0:24:51because of their chaotic lives and mental health issues which prevent
0:24:51 > 0:24:55them from working. Before a final decision is made I urge the Minister
0:24:55 > 0:24:59to consider all the social consequences of a dreadful addiction
0:24:59 > 0:25:04to these dreadful machines.Mr Speaker, may I first start by
0:25:04 > 0:25:09congratulating the honourable lady, what she has done, along with many
0:25:09 > 0:25:14others across the House, across both houses on the all-party group. Many
0:25:14 > 0:25:18of the issues she raised is precisely why the government is
0:25:18 > 0:25:22taking action on this issue and why we have published the consultation.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26It is not just about the person who is the Gambler, whether it is a
0:25:26 > 0:25:32problem gambler, but the associated consequences to their family,
0:25:32 > 0:25:38friends and the communities they live in.Thank you Mr Speaker. Would
0:25:38 > 0:25:46my honourable friend agree with me that bookmakers do actually provide
0:25:46 > 0:25:48considerable employment, they contribute to the economy and for
0:25:48 > 0:25:55the vast majority of gamblers, a bit of enjoyment and light fun. We
0:25:55 > 0:26:03should not forget that.Mr Speaker, that is why we are taking the
0:26:03 > 0:26:08balanced approach we are, which is making sure we continue to support a
0:26:08 > 0:26:11socially responsible sector, while also protecting the most vulnerable
0:26:11 > 0:26:20in society.Mr Speaker, in just one borough, nearly £1.5 million was
0:26:20 > 0:26:25lost to these machines last year. Can I ask the minister, not to bow
0:26:25 > 0:26:39to industry pressure and cap at the top stake at £2.I thank the
0:26:39 > 0:26:43honourable member. We are looking at the whole variety of options when it
0:26:43 > 0:26:47comes to the stake and I would urge him and others to make their views
0:26:47 > 0:26:54known within the next 12 weeks.It is so important we have the right
0:26:54 > 0:26:58and strong protections in place around online gambling, particularly
0:26:58 > 0:27:02where young people and some of the most vulnerable are concerned. I
0:27:02 > 0:27:07welcome her announcement. I wonder, could she provide further details on
0:27:07 > 0:27:14the responsible gambling advertising campaign her department has
0:27:14 > 0:27:19announced?Mr Speaker, gamble aware and the advertising Association will
0:27:19 > 0:27:24come together to draw up a multi-million pound, two-year
0:27:24 > 0:27:29responsible advertising campaign. It will have a budget between five and
0:27:29 > 0:27:34£7 million each year and will include television ads, including
0:27:34 > 0:27:41around live sport, cinema and online.I consider the Minister of
0:27:41 > 0:27:46fun, not least because we both support Tottenham Hotspur, the best
0:27:46 > 0:27:51in the Premiership. But she will know on this issue, I have come paid
0:27:51 > 0:27:55for the seven years. It was a mistake to introduce these machines
0:27:55 > 0:28:00to the high Street, a complete mistake. It is not just a reduction
0:28:00 > 0:28:04in state, can she say a bit more about a reduction of the
0:28:04 > 0:28:07proliferation of betting shops across the country and across the
0:28:07 > 0:28:17high street?Mr Speaker, I am not sure the reference to me supporting
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Tottenham Hotspur endears me to you, but can I thank the honourable
0:28:20 > 0:28:26gentleman for his comments. The issues around the proliferation of
0:28:26 > 0:28:30bookmakers in our high streets is one we looked at as part of the call
0:28:30 > 0:28:35for evidence. We concluded local authorities do have the powers to
0:28:35 > 0:28:41address this issue, but I think when we take the whole thing, the whole
0:28:41 > 0:28:45package of measures, it is something that there will be a reduction, if
0:28:45 > 0:28:58the stakes are reduced significantly in the future.Mr Peter Bowen.Thank
0:28:58 > 0:29:05you, Mr Speaker, for calling another Spurs fan immediately. The excellent
0:29:05 > 0:29:11minister is bringing forward a useful consultation. If we make the
0:29:11 > 0:29:16wrong decision, if we make the situation worse by driving problem
0:29:16 > 0:29:18gamblers out of betting shops, which is a controlled environment, to
0:29:18 > 0:29:24online and making the situation worse. I think the consultation is
0:29:24 > 0:29:30right, but I think we should look at that during the consultation.Online
0:29:30 > 0:29:33gambling manages to have a better opportunity for protecting players
0:29:33 > 0:29:40because they have the details and the player practices, so we are
0:29:40 > 0:29:44obviously going to, as part of the consultation, look at how we can
0:29:44 > 0:29:50protect online gambling. But we have more opportunity to do that as a
0:29:50 > 0:29:56post is somebody going in and out of different bookmakers.The scale of
0:29:56 > 0:30:00harm being inflicted by these appalling machines in my area
0:30:00 > 0:30:05prompted new council to lead calls for a £2 maximum stake. We have
0:30:05 > 0:30:08heard that if that happens, the number of betting shops could be
0:30:08 > 0:30:13halved around the country. Can I reassure the Minister, if the number
0:30:13 > 0:30:18of betting shops in East Ham high street was halved, there would still
0:30:18 > 0:30:24be too many of them. Can she get on and introduced the £2 stake as
0:30:24 > 0:30:28quickly as possible?This gives me an opportunity to thank Newham
0:30:28 > 0:30:32Council for the work they have done. With the leader of the council, as
0:30:32 > 0:30:37part of the call for evidence and to his representation of other local
0:30:37 > 0:30:42authorities, including my own, who have signed up to the issues around
0:30:42 > 0:30:48stakes, I do think it is part of the consultation process and I would
0:30:48 > 0:30:50encourage new and other local authorities to let their views be
0:30:50 > 0:30:58known.Will consultation look at the costs caused by the fix betting
0:30:58 > 0:31:03terminals, bawling on the police, mental health services and the
0:31:03 > 0:31:07families of vulnerable gamblers, especially the children?That is
0:31:07 > 0:31:11exactly what we are doing and as part of the call for evidence, a lot
0:31:11 > 0:31:15of that came through. I know the honourable gentleman is a member of
0:31:15 > 0:31:19the Health Select Committee, who took evidence from a professor with
0:31:19 > 0:31:25expertise in this, who related some of the facts around suicide related
0:31:25 > 0:31:28to gambling. It is important to remember it is not just the person
0:31:28 > 0:31:31who is gambling that faces the consequences of harm, but it is
0:31:31 > 0:31:36their families and communities they live in. That is why we are taking a
0:31:36 > 0:31:43balanced approach to this and having an open consultation ensuring we
0:31:43 > 0:31:49have a socially responsible sector that protects those most at harm.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Can I thank the Minister for his statement this morning. I know the
0:31:52 > 0:31:58discussions I have had with the Minister, she also concerns with
0:31:58 > 0:32:02many in this House, to have drastic and clear changes. My honourable
0:32:02 > 0:32:10friend referred to the online gambling and can I urge the Minister
0:32:10 > 0:32:15to take more cognizance of that? But the consultation is important.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19450,000 addicts cannot be ignored. The Minister stated the figure of
0:32:19 > 0:32:25between £2 and £50 for a state. Can I urge the Minister it is closer to
0:32:25 > 0:32:32the lower figure than it is to the higher figure and reduce the harmful
0:32:32 > 0:32:37gambling addiction in this country. I'm grateful for his question and I
0:32:37 > 0:32:40hope he and many others will respond to the consultation with their views
0:32:40 > 0:32:46on this issue. We are trying to ensure we take all people'sviews
0:32:46 > 0:32:54into account before we make a final decision as to what the stake is.We
0:32:54 > 0:33:00are shocked with the figures the Minister shared with the House. The
0:33:00 > 0:33:05number has gone up by a third in recent years. Are these numbers the
0:33:05 > 0:33:10government recognises? What does the government say are the causes of
0:33:10 > 0:33:15that? And where she to limit the stakes to £2, how many fewer problem
0:33:15 > 0:33:23gamblers would there be after that policy was introduced.The
0:33:23 > 0:33:26honourable gentleman opposite is absolutely correct in his figures,
0:33:26 > 0:33:30they are government numbers, 430,000 problem gamblers in Great Britain
0:33:30 > 0:33:35and there is a further 2 million that might be at risk. We have
0:33:35 > 0:33:3950,000 to call the helpline every year and about 8000 are getting
0:33:39 > 0:33:41treatment, but this figure doesn't include those who get treatment
0:33:41 > 0:33:48under the NHS system. So we are looking at all the areas of harm
0:33:48 > 0:33:52around this, it is not just about problem gamblers, it is those at
0:33:52 > 0:33:56risk of harmful gambling and the consequences and impact it has on
0:33:56 > 0:34:01the individual and their families. I would encourage him to look at the
0:34:01 > 0:34:03consultation and the impact assessment and come to live view as
0:34:03 > 0:34:07to what he thinks will be the best steak and encourage his constituents
0:34:07 > 0:34:15to do the same.Millions of pounds was frittered away in Glasgow in one
0:34:15 > 0:34:20year. I am disappointed we are going for another consultation and not
0:34:20 > 0:34:25action on this. My make-up legally do move to cut the stake to £2. Will
0:34:25 > 0:34:30Minister listen and come to Main Street where it is littered with
0:34:30 > 0:34:34betting terminals and people are addicted to these, so we can take
0:34:34 > 0:34:39action on this sooner rather than later.We are following due process.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43It is important we don't rush it through because we have seen hastily
0:34:43 > 0:34:46made legislation can cause great impact than harm, as