Harmful gambling can lead to a range of mental and physical harms, including stress, anxiety and depression. Gambling can also negatively impact people’s relationships and finances, which can contribute to poor mental health [1].
However, there is little publicly available data on prevalence of gambling and numbers of people experiencing harms from gambling in London.
The Mayor's Health Inequalities Strategy includes an objective “to reduce the use of, or harms caused by tobacco, illicit drugs, alcohol and gambling” [2].
A survey of GPs found that there is concern that people may be less likely to disclose gambling harms to their GPs, compared to problems related to alcohol, smoking or drugs [3].
For the first of two meetings on the health impacts of gambling in London, the London Assembly Health Committee will meet tomorrow to examine the extent of harmful gambling participation in London, including both online and land-based gambling.
It will also explore the response by the NHS and other agencies in supporting people who have been affected by gambling-related harms, what the Mayor has done to reduce the harms caused by gambling, and what more he could do to support those affected.
Panel 1 – 10:00 – 11:20
- Vicky Hobart, GLA Group Director of Public Health
- Dr Tom Coffey OBE, Mayoral Health Advisor
- Alice Walker, Consultant in Public Health, Greater London Authority
- Will Maimaris, Director of Public Health, Haringey Public Health Team
- Sian M Griffiths CBE, Deputy Chair, GambleAware
- Marguerite Regan, Head of Gambling, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
- Harj Gahley, Advisor/ Consultant, RED CARD
Panel 2 – 11:30 – 12:45
- Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones OBE, National Clinical Advisor on Gambling Harms
- Emma Christie, Head of Mental Health, NHS London
- Mark Weiss, Director of Policy and Communications, GamCare
- Matthew Hickey, CEO, Gordon Moody Association
- Dame Clare Gerada, Founder, Primary Care Gambling Service and General Practitioner
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 29 November from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- GamCare, How gambling affects your life
- Mayor of London, London Health Inequalities Strategy, September 2018
- British Journal of Medical Practice, Should GPs routinely screen for gambling disorders? May 2019
- Full agenda papers.
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.