MPs, Peers and campaigners call for gambling reform at summit

The Government must act to reduce gambling-related harm, politicians and campaigners said at a Westminster event.

The 2025 Peers for Gambling Reform Summit brought together those with lived experience of problem gambling, affected others, researchers and psychologists to share their testimonies of how damaging gambling is to both individuals and society.

The event was hosted by Lord Foster of Bath, and featured a variety of guests, from football commentator Clive Tyldesley and actor and presenter Alexis Conran, to former Conservative Leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Labour backbencher Dawn Butler.

Hostile questioning

Also in attendance were the Gambling Commission’s Executive Director Tim Miller, and Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross.

Baroness Twycross said that despite concerns about some of the harms that people experience through gambling, there are some who enjoy going to bingo for a sense of the community, and so reform must be balanced with preserving the freedom to choose to gamble.

Tim Miller faced hostile questioning after his key note speech and rejected assertions that the Gambling Commission was not doing enough to punish operators which break the law or act in egregiously unethical ways.

‘We’re determined’

Lord Foster told The Christian Institute: “What I’m particularly pleased about is the strength of the arguments of members who are here, both on the panels and in the audience. They are putting forward a very clear case of the urgent need for further reform of gambling.”

He added: “There are a large number of people here who are relatives of people who have taken their own lives because of gambling. I want them to know that they’re not alone.

“That there are people in parliament, and in the many different organisations represented here who are supporting them, and trying to ensure that we actually reduce the number of suicides, the number of people who get into difficulty because of gambling harm, and the families and communities that are affected because of it.

“And we’re determined we’re going to continue working together to bring about the much-needed reform.”

‘Now is the time for change’

Dawn Butler, who in the summer launched a campaign to give councils power to prevent the spread of betting shops, told the Institute: “I think at the moment, we have a public health emergency with regards to gambling, and if we don’t get to grips with it now, then we are building up even more problems for the future.”

She added: “I hope that people leave with knowledge, and also with hope, knowing that there’s enough of us, working together to see that change through.

“And I think now is the time for that change.”

Public health harms

Dr Beccy Cooper MP, a member of the Gambling Reform All-Party Parliamentary Group, with a background as a public health doctor, said she wanted to see more MPs to recognise the harm of gambling.

Some MPs view betting shops as a positive because they provide jobs, but Dr Cooper said: “My job, I think, coming in as a public health doctor, is to say ‘Look, jobs are great, but actually this is an industry that is causing health harms, and is ultimately causing loss of life. That is actually a loss for your constituency.’

“We’ve heard today about healthy high streets, and none of my fellow MPs want to see huge amounts of betting shops on their high streets because it’s not good for your high street.”

‘The military is rife with gambling’

And Alex Ballinger MP, also a member of the Gambling Reform APPG, said: “Before I came into Parliament, I worked in the military. The military is rife with gambling.

“Young men often from deprived communities sign up to serve their country, and that’s exactly the demographic which is targeted by the gambling industry.

“I’ve seen lots of people away on operations – lots of time on their hands, a bit of extra money – getting into a gambling addiction, and then when they come back home it causes all sorts of problems for their families, for debt, and even in their sort of professional life.

“So I think it’s something that’s underregulated, and I’m glad we’re having this summit here today to talk about some of the actions that can be taken.”

‘Stronger powers for councils’

Earlier in the day, Dawn Butler had put a question to Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions about gambling, asking: “Economically deprived high streets and poorer high streets are flooded with gambling shops. The ‘aim to permit’ legislation prevents councils from saying no.

“My summer campaign on gambling reform has received loads of support, including from Gordon Brown, who says that if we tax the gambling industry, we will get £3 billion for our economy. Will the Prime Minister join campaigners and help me to end ‘aim to permit’, so that constituents such as his and mine can thrive?”

The Prime Minister responded: “It is important that local authorities are given additional tools and powers to ensure vibrant high streets.

“We are looking at introducing cumulative impact assessments, like those already in place for alcohol licensing, and we will give councils stronger powers over the location and numbers of gambling outlets to help create safe, thriving high streets.”