The petition of residents of Glasgow North East
Declares that action should be taken to safeguard vulnerable individuals in regard to excessive and unusual spending habits on online gambling platforms; notes that such actions result in excess debts mounting up and recognises cases where individuals have tragically died by suicide under these circumstances; further acknowledges the role for banking institutions whose customers are spending excessive amounts on gambling websites.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to review with gambling companies and banking institutions what safeguards area put in place to protect vulnerable customers from spending more money than they normally would; and further assess what further work can be done to protect vulnerable people who may be misusing alcohol or substance while gambling.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Maureen Burke, Official Report, 16 July 2025; Vol. 771, c.391.]
[P003098]
Observations from the Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling (Baroness Twycross):
I would like to thank my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow North East (Maureen Burke) for raising this issue on behalf of her constituents.
I am aware of the devastating impact that harmful gambling can have on people and their families, particularly when it leads to a loss of life. We are committed to working across Government and with the devolved Administrations to strengthen protections for vulnerable people and reduce gambling-related harm. The Scottish Government are responsible for implementing these measures, as wider health policy is devolved. However, in England this includes working with the Department of Health and Social Care on its suicide prevention strategy. We also work with the industry to ensure responsible gambling.
The Government’s new statutory levy will generate £100 million for the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. Part of this will be allocated to appropriate bodies in Scotland to fund Scottish prevention and treatment services aimed at protecting vulnerable people at risk of gambling harm. Robust governance arrangements are in place to ensure that funding is being directed where it is needed most, in line with the system’s wider objectives.
All licensed online gambling operators offering services to customers in Great Britain must implement effective customer interaction processes in a way that minimises the risk of customers experiencing harms associated with gambling, including financial harms. This includes using a range of indicators in order to identify harm or potential harm. Once identified, operators are expected to take appropriate action in a timely manner. These actions vary depending on the level of harm identified but can include reducing or preventing marketing or the take-up of new bonus offers, or closing the customer’s account.
To further aid in the detection of harm, in August last year, financial vulnerability checks were introduced. These checks, which apply to all online customers across Great Britain with a net deposit of more than £150 a month, look for markers of significant financial vulnerability. Gambling companies must take action to support customers where a check flags financial vulnerability. In addition, the Gambling Commission is piloting enhanced financial risk assessments for the highest-spending online accounts to assess a more nuanced picture of a customer’s financial risk.
On specific products, online slots are the highest risk. They have the highest average losses of any online product and are associated with high levels of use by people experiencing gambling-related harm. In recognition of this, the Government introduced stake limits for online slots throughout Great Britain earlier this year. These are set at £2 per spin for 18 to 24-year-olds, and £5 per spin for adults aged 25 and over.
Banks also have a unique insight into customers’ spending, and an important role to play in protecting vulnerable customers. Most banks now offer gambling block tools to help a customer manage their gambling. However, we recognise the limitations of these tools and the lack of consistency in these offerings across the sector. This is why we continue to encourage financial sector institutions to develop and improve these tools. We are pleased that work is under way by the Gambling Harms Action Lab and a number of banks to create progress in this space.