Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has today on the Welsh Government to take action through the new curriculum to educate young people about the harms of problem gambling.

Questioning the First Minister in the Welsh Parliament this week, Darren also emphasised the need for a national Gambling Clinic in Wales.

He said:   

“We have seen an increase in the number of people gambling in Wales, and we must do everything we can to prevent people from harm.

“We need a National Gambling Clinic in Wales, and to address the proliferation of betting shops on many of our high streets and in our town centres. But we also need to educate our young people, in particular, about the harms of problem gambling.

“What action is the Welsh Government taking, through the new curriculum, to make sure that young people are aware of the harm that can be caused, particularly through things like crypto-currencies and the gaming systems that many people use, which may look innocuous and harmless but have caused considerable grief to many people across the country? And will you support the work of organisations like Deal Me Out, which works in schools in North Wales, Beat the Odds, and other charities on this matter?”

Speaking after the meeting, Darren added:

“Excessive gambling is a public health crisis that rarely gets the attention and resources that it needs and deserves.

“It is a problem that ruins the lives of individuals and families across the country and has devastating effects on society and it cannot be right that the seeds of problem gambling are planted at such a young age for so many of our children and young people.

“There is a new challenge we face when it comes to protecting our children from the harm of problem gambling and it doesn’t involve logging in on a betting website or walking into the bookies; it only requires a games console or app on a mobile phone.

“We need to be doing everything we can to educate our young people about the potential dangers.”