Ministers have been urged to ignore “powerful forces” trying to thwart gambling reforms. MPs heard that during the “imminent” review of gambling laws, the Government will come under pressure in a manner similar to when changes were made to the tobacco industry.
Labour’s Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) made the warning as the Commons considered the case of Jack Ritchie, a teacher who killed himself after battling a gambling addiction. The 24-year-old died in November 2017 and the coroner at his recent inquest ruled that warnings and treatment had been “woefully inadequate”.
His parents, Liz and Charles Ritchie, watched on from the public gallery during the adjournment debate on Monday night. Mr Blomfield described the struggles faced by his constituent and praised his “inspirational” parents, telling the Commons: “They have made it their mission to stop gambling addiction claiming the lives of others as it does too often – more than 400 people in England alone each year, around 8% of all suicides.”
