© Provided by The Northern Echo County Durham PCC Joy Allen with Chief Constable Jo Farrell (Image: Contributor)

Urgent action is needed to protect those already in the grip of gambling addiction, County Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned.

Joy Allen has welcomed the Government backing on statutory duty for gambling industry and is now calling for the urgent implementation.

Commissioner Allen, who is Joint Lead for Addictions and Substance Misuse on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has campaigned for improved betting rules to protect problem gamblers and safeguard children from being drawn into gambling addiction.

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She has also spearheaded sweeping reforms locally in County Durham which led to the  force recently becoming the first in the country to sign up to the Gambling Charter, setting out its commitment to work collaboratively to tackle gambling harm in the workplace and the wider community.

Commissioner Allen said: “I have pushed for tougher regulation of the industry for a long time to hold the sector to account for the consequences of gambling harm, especially where crime is concerned.

“I am delighted that the government has listened to the evidence I have presented along with my colleagues nationally.

“These changes will have a significant impact in disadvantaged and deprived communities in the North of England, and elsewhere across the UK, where many of these betting shops are concentrated.”

The Government has now published its long-awaited White Paper on the issue, pledging major reform of gambling laws to protect vulnerable users in the digital age.

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The proposals include a mandatory levy on betting firms to pay for the treatment of addiction, new player protection checks and stake limits for online slots.

Commissioner Allen said: “The review considered evidence from families impacted by gambling harm and the gamblers themselves, many of whom had faced catastrophic financial losses and other associated problems through their addictions.

“As the review addresses, this is not about removing the freedom of adults who enjoy gambling in a safe and proportionate way.

“This is about increasing the support mechanisms and protections for those at risk and making the industry culpable when such safety systems fail.”

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Commissioner Allen said the proposed statutory levy on the industry is a ‘vital step forward’ and ‘long overdue’.

She said: “As these proposals are, I am concerned that any delays to implementation will have serious consequences for those already living in the grip of addiction who require help now.

“With at least one suicide every day being attributable to gambling harm, it’s imperative we act quickly.”