As a result of increasing levels of infection across Wales, the Welsh Government have implemented a ‘firebreak lockdown’. From 6pm today until the start of Monday 9 November, there will be a new set of restrictions in place.  We must now stay at home, except for limited and specific purposes, and we must not visit other households or meet with people indoors or outdoors who do not live in our … [Read more...]

It's been another busy week with more work done on gambling related harm.  I spoke at a Money and Mental Health gambling conference on ‘Regulation, policy, and progress – what next for banks in tackling gambling harms.’ We need a holistic approach to tackling gambling related harms – we will not solve this problem simply by regulating the industry. While regulation is important and we do need … [Read more...]

It's been another busy week in Westminster and Swansea East.  I was very pleased to meet with Gerald Gouriet QC to discuss gambling related harm. He has considerable experience through his legal work, having been involved in the Gambling Law and is the editor for the leading textbook on the subject. He has given evidence to the Lords committee on gambling, and his view is that the 2005 Act … [Read more...]

Over the weekend you may have seen me on Channel 4 news or heard me on Times Radio talking about gambling. Channel 4 highlighted the tragic story of Jack Ritchie who was just 24 when he took his own life after years of battling with gambling addiction. Our current legislation is an analogue piece of legislation in a digital era, enacted at a time when smartphones didn’t allow access to gambling … [Read more...]

As you may have seen, as a result of a rise in infections across Swansea, there are new restrictions for all Swansea residents coming into place at 6pm on Saturday. This means everyone living in Swansea will not be allowed to enter or leave the area without a reasonable excuse and not be able to meet indoors with anyone they do not live with – extended households, sometimes called a bubbled, are … [Read more...]