The announcement of a new House of Lords special inquiry into gambling has been welcomed by the Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith.<\/p>\n
The new Lords committee, which will examine the \u201csocial and economic consequences\u201d of the gambling industry, was announced last Friday. It will begin its investigation later this year, and produce a report by March 2020.<\/p>\n
Dr Smith said: \u201cThis means we can start to meet the needs of problem gamblers, and honour the hopes of the families of those who have lost their lives as a result of problem gambling.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time we broke the silence for them. This inquiry is a vital part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Liaison Committee of the House of Lords recommended the gambling industry as one of four areas for inquiries, as proposed by Dr Smith.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cAn overdue inquiry, it will have the range, depth, and authority to mount a truly evidence-based investigation. Currently, we have seen levels of suicide and other gambling-related harms becoming part of the national consciousness, while 55,000 young people are now classified as problem gamblers.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lords will break silence on betting, says Bishop of St Albans<\/p>\n The new committee will examine the \u2018social and economic consequences\u2019 of the industryhttps:\/\/t.co\/fGneHaD3WW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Church Times (@ChurchTimes) March 22, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n