Put dangers of gambling on the curriculum, charity tells Executive

THE harm caused by problem gambling should feature on the curriculum, public health experts have said.

The impact of advertising on children should also be properly assessed, clinicians from the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) said.

Sinn Fein MLA Philip Mcguigan, a recovering addict, lost more than £100,000 to gambling.

“It (gambling) is impacting children at a much younger age and in bigger and bigger quantities,” he said.

“It needs tackled, otherwise we are going to have a growing epidemic of problem gambling among young people.”

Psychological distress, the breakdown of relationships and chaotic finances are often the end results of problem gambling, the FPH warned in a submission to the Stormont department examining future regulation.

The charity, which represents a large numbers of public health professionals, added: “The review of the gambling legislation should take a multi-department approach in minimising potential harm.

“We would support the introduction of gambling education in the Northern Ireland schools curriculum, an assessment of the impact of advertising on children and young people (and) further research into the impact and accessibility of online gambling and gaming platforms.”

The FPH also called for a UKwide gambling strategy geared towards reducing the harm caused to families, children and young people.

The intervention came after studies showed there was overwhelming public support for the creation of a regulatory body.

Mr Mcguigan said: “Gambling in the era of digital technology is reaching children at a much younger age.

“You can gamble on iphones and ipads. Gaming companies are actively targeting young children and initiating them into gambling practices.”

Gambling among teenagers in the Republic of Ireland has more than doubled in the past four years, a previous study found.