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Councillors call for conference to be held to discuss problem gambling in Bradford

Monday, 16 September 2019 16:00

Bradford councillors have called for public figures to come together in a bid to help tackle the problem of gambling addiction.

Problem gambling was the topic of discussion in a recent meeting, with members of Bradford Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee hearing from a William Hill bookmakers’ representative, as well as a recovering gambling addict.

At the meeting, councillors heard one man’s story of how he spent up to £1,000 per day in betting shops at fixed odds betting terminals, subsequently becoming homeless as a result of his addiction.

However, Ian Clark from William Hill told members that their staff are urged to step in if they believe a customer’s habit is getting out of hand.

Speaking on problem gambling, Councillor Alun Griffiths said: There is no such thing as responsible gambling, much as there is no such thing as safe smoking. As well as the personal impact, it moves money out of the local economy.”

In response to the issues raised, Councillor David Green suggested the committee write to the Council’s Executive to organise a meeting to discuss the issue of gambling in Bradford, with members suggesting the meeting could include industry representatives, health bosses, charities and the Council.

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