“robust action needed”- Welsh Lib Dems call for increase funding for gambling support services

This week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Government to commit towards improving gambling support services in Wales.

According to a recent study from Swansea University, an estimated 120,000 people in Wales are experiencing or are at risk of gambling-related harm.

The same study also found that many individuals facing gambling harms were unaware of available support services, with there currently being no such dedicated clinics available through the NHS in Wales.

Speaking in the Siambr on Tuesday, the Leader of the Welsh Lib Dems Jane Dodds MS urged the Welsh government to commit towards improving gambling support services in Wales, stating that “robust action must be taken to help curb this crisis”.

The Mid and West Wales MS raised her concerns around the potential dangers of online and mobile gambling platforms.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“The scourge of gambling addiction sadly remains a grave public health issue here in Wales, ravaging the lives of countless individuals and their families.

I fear that the increasing presence of online and mobile gambling platforms will only escalate this problem by exposing more people to the insidious dangers of gambling.

We urgently need the Welsh Government to commit towards increasing funding for frontline gambling support services across Wales.

With an estimated 120,000 Welsh citizens experiencing or at risk of gambling-related harms, robust action must be taken to help curb this crisis.”