Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on services available to people in Wales who suffer from gaming addictions and disorders?
The Welsh Government recognises the increasingly close links between gambling and gaming, primarily due to the presence of gambling-type activities in computer games aimed at children. Whilst there are currently no specialist NHS services for gaming or gambling in Wales, several third sector organisations work throughout Wales to provide help, support and advocacy services for those affected and their families. The National Gambling Support Network is a group of organisations across Great Britain who provide free, confidential and personalised support for anyone who’s experiencing problems from gambling, as well as those affected by someone else’s gambling. Self-referrals for treatment are also available through the network’s 24/7 National Gambling Helpline. The Addiction Recovery Agency (ARA) is part of the network and provides free, confidential advice including one-to-one counselling for people experiencing gambling related harms in Wales. ARA also has a Young People’s programme to educate young people so they can understand the risks related to gambling and where to get help.
The Welsh Government supports a preventative, early intervention and public health approach to protect people from gambling related harm and has been working closely with the UK Government on its plans to reform gambling legislation in Great Britain. This includes the development of a statutory levy on industry which, if introduced, would provide secure long-term funding for gambling research, education, and treatment. The development of treatment services in Wales will be informed by the Gambling Health Needs Assessment for Wales which was undertaken by Public Health Wales to understand the needs of those experiencing harms in Wales. We are also working closely with our stakeholders and have established a stakeholder advisory group to support the policy changes in Wales.