Wife calls to ban gambling ads after husband’s £85k debt

“We are dealing with a predatory industry here, they are putting money over lives.”

Tracy O’Shaughnessy wants to see the end of gambling adverts, a mission spurred on after her husband got £85,000 in debt.

“Gambling ads are normalised and as an affected other (someone who experiences negative impacts or harm as a result of someone else’s behaviour), I find it really triggering. I sit there and I think it’s not fun, it’s ruined my life,” she said.

In her local area of Merton there isn’t any escape either, as Tracy says there are seven betting shops on her high street.

A gambler for more than 30 years, Tracy said her husband must have lost millions over that period.

“The mounting debts, the lies – it really took a toll on my mental health.

“I was struggling to keep up with the bills, we nearly lost our home because we couldn’t pay the rent and bailiffs would come,” she said.

As a result of her personal experiences, Tracy is an affected other lead at the charity GamLearn – a lived experience and recovery network – which supports those who have experienced gambling-related harm.

“In some cases, gambling has taken loved ones away from families,” said Tracy.

“I think ads should be banned, we don’t need to see them.”

On Thursday, Tracy attended an event to announce Haringey’s membership to the Coalition to End Gambling Ads (CEGA), a group of organisations committed to reducing gambling harm by stopping it from being promoted.

The north London council is pushing for a national ban on gambling advertising, and claim it is the first council in the country to do so.

According to the Gambling Commission – which regulates gambling and gaming laws – Haringey is fourth only to boroughs Brent, Enfield and Newham, for having the most licensed gambling premises in the capital.

Haringey Council has said there were 8,000 people experiencing gambling harms in the borough, with about 25,000 others, like family and friends, affected more widely.

The Labour-run council said signing the commitment put pressure on the government to restrict gambling advertising and the negative influence this can have on individuals and their families.

‘Robust protections’

In October, Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), told Parliament the government was “committed to strengthening protections” to ensure people could “continue to enjoy gambling as a pastime without the harms that can ensue from problem gambling”.

She added the government would be listening to people’s experiences.

“That way, we can strike the right balance and ensure not only that the industry, which brings joy to many people, continues to thrive, but that we have the most robust protections in place to prevent problem gambling,” she said.

This is something Will Prochaska, the director CEGA, said did not go hand-in-hand.

“The evidence is clear, we can’t grow the gambling industry and protect people at the same time – we urgently need Lisa Nandy to grasp this principle,” he added.

A DCMS spokesperson said it recognised the impact harmful gambling could have on individuals and their families, and reconfirmed its commitment to strengthening protections for those at risk.

“The industry has a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm, and this work will be monitored closely,” the spokesperson said.

“The government has already announced plans to bring in a statutory levy on gambling profits to generate £100m for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms.”

The Gambling Commission said targeted action around advertising and sponsorship was necessary, especially to “better ensure that children and people who may be vulnerable have significantly reduced exposure”.

‘Much needed change’

Haringey Council has estimated it pays more than £8m in associated gambling harm-related costs every year, including homelessness, adult social care, NHS costs and unpaid rents.

A spokesperson said it worked with communities to offer support to those affected by gambling harms, such as early intervention work in schools and help with debt and refinancing.

In applauding Haringey for being the first council to join CEGA, Mr Prochaska said: “Councils don’t have adequate powers to protect their citizens from the predatory gambling industry, but they do have a powerful voice nationally.

“It’s important now that more councils follow Haringey’s lead.”

Councillor Ajda Ovat, cabinet member for communities at Haringey, said the council recognised the need for “further collaboration to address gambling harm on a larger scale and hope many other councils will follow in our footsteps and bring about much needed change”.

In Sir Sadiq Khan’s 2021 mayoral manifesto, he pledged to ban gambling advertising on the Tube and other Transport for London (TfL) services.

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, the Mayor of London said: “We all know the impact gambling can have on young, vulnerable individuals and families.

“The reason why it’s taking longer than we would like is because unfortunately, there is no national guidance.

“When it came to us banning adverts to do with foods high in fat, sugar and salt, there were national guidelines – there aren’t when it comes to gambling.”

After 36 years of addiction, Tracy said her husband was doing well and in recovery.

“People need to understand the devastation this addiction causes. Gambling adverts need to be banned,” she added.

A spokesperson from the Gambling Commission said: “All marketing of gambling products must be undertaken in a socially responsible manner.

“Our views on advertising are set out in our 2023 Gambling Act advice to the then government.

“This clearly states that targeted action around advertising and sponsorship is necessary, especially to better ensure that children and people who may be vulnerable have significantly reduced exposure.”

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