Reformed gambler who lost £30,000 hails latest reforms
A FORMER gambling addict from Stockport has said he believes recently announced reforms to tackle gambling are a ‘step in the right direction.’
The Government’s proposals include new stake limits for online slot games, player protection checks and a statutory gambling operator levy, which would help fund treatment services and research into addiction.
The plans also include further powers by the Gambling Commission to tackle black market operators, new rules for bonus offers and free bets to ensure they don’t harm vulnerable people and the closing of a number of loopholes to ensure under 18s cannot gamble online or through slot machines.
David Quinti, 48, estimates he’s lost £30,000 over the years due to gambling. David, who was able to quit gambling eight years ago, said his occasional bets on football matches quickly turned into an intense addiction online.
He only sought help for his addiction when his son, then aged eight, saw him gambling on an iPad at home one day and asked him to stop.
He is now a member of GambleAware’s lived experience council and also an ambassador for GamCare.
Speaking of the Government’s plans to tackle gambling addiction, David, said he believed it was a ‘step in the right direction’ but hoped that gambling advertising could also be tackled in the future to make people aware of whether they are gambling safely or are in need of help.
“Advertising draws people in with the colours and the opportunities and the excitement,” David explained. “I don’t think there needs to be a total ban but the ads need to be targeted more towards being safe. At the minute it feels like it’s a tick box.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said on Thursday that the Government is “bringing our presmartphone regulations into the present day with a gambling White Paper for the digital age” and believed the proposals would “force companies to step up their checks” to protect vulnerable customers.
Ms Frazer told MPs: “Gambling problems in adults have always been measured in terms of money lost, but you cannot put a cost on the loss of dignity, the loss of identity, and, in some cases, the loss of life that it can cause.”
The National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare, received the highest number of contacts for any month on record in March, with advisers citing how the cost of living is impacting callers.
In total, 3,996 calls and online chats were made across the month, a 23% increase compared with the same time period last year.
Anyone in need of help can call free on 0808 8020 133 or visit the website.