Alliance spokesperson on Communities, Kellie Armstrong MLA, agreed with the Gambling with Lives campaign that appropriate legislation to restrict gambling needs to be updated in Northern Ireland.

Kellie Armstrong said: “Gambling preys on vulnerable people and ruins lives. Around 10% of people who take their own lives do so as a result of their gambling addiction. Addiction to slot machines, online betting and lotteries is more than an issue about money, gambling kills. It’s vital the Assembly moves forward on gambling legislation as a matter or urgency, to save more people from being pulled into a life destroying habit.

“Northern Ireland has not had an update to our legislation on gambling since the 1980s. The maximum gambling fee permitted in law remains 50p but as that law is not enforced, many gambling machines exceed this maximum betting amount.

“Online gambling means access to betting is available 24 hours a day and often with little checks on the age of people using these sites.

“The consultation on gambling closes on 21 February, so time is running out to make your views heard. I will be working on this legislation with the Minister and the Assembly Committee for Communities. It’s time to stop gambling with lives.”

The Consultation documents can be found here:

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-regulation-gambling-northern-ireland