UK Government Takes Action Against Gambling Addiction Following Family’s Personal Struggle
In a landmark announcement today, the UK government has announced measures to address the growing issue of gambling addiction in the country. The move comes after the Bradford family’s personal struggle with the addiction, which resulted in a devastating impact on their lives.
David Bradford, 68, was an unlikely candidate to become addicted to gambling. He had a good job as an accountant and his family had no financial worries. However, in April 2014, he shocked his family by revealing that he was due to attend court the next day. Despite their concerns, he assured his wife Denise and twins Alex and Ryan that it was work-related and he was not in trouble.
But by late afternoon the next day, David had not returned home and the family received a call from his solicitor, informing them that he was on his way to prison to serve a two-year sentence. With no information left behind by David, his son Adam described the situation as a “nightmare” as the family had to piece together the mess they were left in, including sorting out their finances. It was then revealed that David had accumulated almost £500,000 of debt through loans, remortgaging their house, late bills, credit cards, and payday loans. He had been gambling away the family’s money for over 30 years, in an addiction that David himself admits he never realized he was in the grips of. It started with arcade and fruit machines in the pub and eventually escalated to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals and a devastating online gambling habit that cost him over £40,000 per year.
Since his father’s imprisonment, Adam has been tirelessly campaigning for change, and after 10 years, his efforts have paid off. Today’s government announcement includes a statutory levy that will fund treatment and research for gambling addiction to the tune of £100 million. It also sets limits on the amount that can be spent on online slots to £5 for adults and £2 per spin for young people.
Adam expressed his relief and gratitude towards the measures, stating, “For too long, gambling companies have taken advantage of the most vulnerable people in society and been allowed by successive governments to get away with it. These new measures will have a very positive impact on the outcomes for those struggling with gambling and they are long overdue.” He also noted that if these measures had been in place when his father was gambling, their family may not have ended up in the dire situation they did. However, he also acknowledges that there is still more work to be done in combating the addiction and its effects on society. While he does not believe gambling should be completely prohibited, he stresses the need for more attention to be given to the impact it has on the most vulnerable members of society.
The government’s actions have been welcomed by many, with hopes that it will bring about much-needed change and support for those struggling with gambling addiction. The Bradford family’s personal struggle has shed light on the severity of the issue, and their efforts have played a crucial role in bringing about this change.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.