21 November 2018: Dr Tim Leighton: Children gambling is a real problem
Dr Tim Leighton spoke to LBC radio this afternoon (21 November 2018) about the Gambling Commission’s report Young People & Gambling 2018 which has shown that more children are at risk of being harmed by gambling.
Tim spoke to presenter Shelagh Fogarty about his surprise at some of the findings, which highlights a ‘real problem’ that needs to be addressed.
Two areas Tim focused on as opportunities to improve the current situation is the amount of pocket money children are receiving, with those getting £27 a week being more like to gamble, and a worrying proportion of 11 to 16-year-olds claiming to have placed bets in person or at fixed odds bettings terminals.
He also pointed to the vulnerability of adolescents who can be more susceptible to addictive behaviours.