Discussion on a new national strategy to reduce gambling harms, and Consultation on proposed amendments to LCCP requirements on gambling businesses to contribute to research, prevention and treatment

We initiated a discussion on the content of the new National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.

We presented a draft Strategy that set out an overall public health approach to address the aim of reducing gambling harms, and contained five priority areas: Research to inform action, Prevention, Treatment, Evaluation, and Gambling businesses.

We asked respondents if they agreed with the approach, their views on the draft priorities, and with the actions we had proposed, including a key action for each priority that we would aim to progress as far as possible within the first year of the Strategy.

We also encouraged consumers, individuals and those affected by gambling harms to engage with the content of the strategy and to express their views on what is needed to reduce gambling harms.

We received a spectrum of responses from regulators, public health bodies, individuals and businesses, with detailed comments on the proposed actions.

The great majority of respondents agreed with the aim of the Strategy to reduce gambling harms, and there was significant support for the public health approach and for the identified priorities and actions.

There was a number of suggestions on the presentation of the priorities, to help demonstrate that these are cross-cutting strands, and to help clarify the roles and responsibilities for partners who have committed to help to deliver the strategy.

We have now published the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms, and created a new website to track progress against the strategy www.reducinggamblingharms.org. We have committed to supporting the strategy with a full implementation plan, working with our partners across England, Scotland and Wales to do so. The first iteration of this plan was published at the end of July 2019.

Taking on board feedback, we restructured the Strategy to focus on two strategic priorities: Prevention and Education, and Treatment and Support. These are supported by four cross-cutting enablers: Regulation and Oversight, Collaboration, Evaluation and Research to inform action.

A summary of the detailed responses we received and the actions we have taken is set out in our Response Document.