UK to investigate link between crime and problem gambling

A new commission has been created to advise the government on possible links between crime and problem gambling.

UK.- The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling. The commission will investigate the relationship between crime and problem gambling and will collect evidence for three years.

The new commission from the UK will look into patterns that link crime and problem gambling. It will then make recommendations to the government, the gambling industry and the criminal justice system on how to proceed. Lord Goldsmith, a former Cabinet member, will be chair of the commission, along with other 16 members.

“Concern about harmful gambling activity has been growing for some time. This is the first commission to focus specifically on the relationship between problem gambling and crime,” Lord Goldsmith said. “Our commission will seek to establish what the links are; what impact they have on communities and wider society; and, crucially, what steps we can take to reduce crime and make people safer.”

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) welcomed the new entity and said: “This independent Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling will fill a significant gap in understanding the relationship between gambling harms and crime,” said Tim Miller, executive director of UKGC.

“We support the Howard League’s evidence-based and comprehensive approach and anticipate that the recommendations from the Commission will help us make better and faster progress in delivering the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms.”

The Howard League for Penal Reform, which launched the commission that will investigate the link between problem gambling and crime, is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison. The Howard League for Penal Reform is entirely independent of government. Voluntary donations and membership subscriptions fund The Howard League for Penal Reform.