- 03/09/2015
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Category: Press Releases
Mike Hedges AM supports fellow AM in calls for restrictions on new gambling outlets
Mike Hedges AM has joined calls from Mick Antoniw, AM for Pontypridd, in calling for greater restrictions on new gambling outlets and support for people with gambling problems.
Mike said…… ‘The number of people affected by Gambling and associated problems are growing year on year; I see the effects of this in my surgeries and visits around the Constituency. This is a problem that affects all sections of society, young and old, men and women. Recent research suggests that 3000 teenagers in Wales have what is defined as a moderate gambling problem. I welcome and support my fellow AM Mick Antoniw’s intervention on this topic through his article for The Bevin Foundation, Gambling; Wales Public Health Iceberg.
We are agreed that Gambling is the hidden blight affecting people’s health and wellbeing in Wales. I join Mick in calling for local authorities to exercise their powers to control new venues and support calls for The National Assembly to be given greater powers for items such as fixed odds gambling machines, such as is proposed for the Scottish Parliament.
I would urge anyone with gambling problems or affected by family members who have a gambling problem to seek support and advice from Gambling Anonymous at –
http://gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
