Earlier this month, Mick Antoniw and I launched a report entitled 'An investigation of the social impact of problem gambling in Wales' here in the Senedd with the University of South Wales. The academics involved came from a variety of disciplines, which gave the report extra depth, and I'd like to put on record my thanks to the University of South Wales and all those who worked on it. I'd commend you all to read it, but I will make a couple of key points on the report.

The findings of the report highlighted that the scale of potential gambling addiction in Wales is much higher than previous studies have indicated. The report noted that over a quarter of the Welsh population were potentially at risk of impaired gambling behaviour. This was a significant increase on the 2015 Gambling Commission report that suggested that 5 per cent of the population were at high risk. Online gambling was also found to be much higher compared to the same 2015 study, 11 per cent compared to 5 per cent, and the same trend was uncovered for fixed-odd betting terminals.

The report also revealed that gambling is becoming an increasingly hidden problem. The majority of people gamble alone, and opportunities to easily indulge gambling are abundant. Mobile phone apps and websites mean that now people can gamble anywhere at any time. Clusters of licensed gambling outlets in deprived geographical areas mean that to visit a fixed-odd betting terminal in a local betting shop is easily accessible.

Addictions carry a stigma, and problem gambling is no different. Individuals are very reluctant to admit having a problem, even if they recognise it themselves. Importantly, the personal stories shared in the report provide an insight into the social impact and experiences behind the statistics. One said fixed-odd betting terminal gambling

'drove me to attempt suicide a few years ago. I cannot control my gambling when online or playing Fobt machines.’ 

Some highlighted the impact gambling has on family life, saying, 'It kills families', and it's a problem

'that's hidden, and usually not helped. And, nowadays, it's too easy...on phones, online, in shops, they should be covered in black just like the cigarettes.’

Another said:

'I have a parent who gambled excessively for 25 years. I had to help them out financially to stop them losing their home.’

These statements are a sample of the stark reality of the hidden human cost of gambling addiction, and it's our duty as Assembly Members to support our constituents.

The worrying density of licensed gambling outlets in deprived geographical areas is striking. More research is needed into the effect of these clusters on local and wider communities. Those living in less affluent areas are most likely to be influenced by aspirational adverts that regularly appear on tv, newspapers and online. A systematic study of online gambling should be undertaken with a focus on the effects of sophisticated advertising techniques such as tailored pop-up adverts. More research needs to be undertaken on the specific targeted adverts appealing to women and young people.

Questions need to be asked around harm prevention and treatment development. The potential systematic screening for gambling problems in proxy services, such as those for debt and addiction, must be seriously considered. One reason the magnitude of problem gambling remains hidden is that no database of individuals with a gambling addiction currently exists. But measuring the problem simply isn't enough. Early intervention treatment techniques to reduce this indisputable impact of problem gambling must be developed alongside any screening, and I'd urge the Welsh Government to look at ways of reducing the impact of problem gambling on individuals, families and communities across Wales.

The University of South Wales report, while thorough and extensive, only scratches the surface of problem gambling in Wales. We aimed for the report to give us an indication of the potential problems in different areas, and everyone involved in this project would be the first to say that this report raises more questions than it answers. It’s a snapshot across Wales, and further research needs to be undertaken. It does, however, say for certain that there is a problem in Wales, a growing one, with a devastating impact. My hope is that this report is a wake-up call for all of us to this invisible problem. Already our health and social services are picking up the pieces of lives that have already been devastated by the impact of gambling. A public health approach to gambling needs to address its effects on young and vulnerable people, on families and close associates of gamblers, and on the wider community, as well as on those who suffer harm from their own gambling. Now is the time to act.