UKGC Supports Wakefield City Council Investigation Into Effects of Gambling

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has backed a proposed investigation by Wakefield City Council that intends to look into the effects of gambling on children and vulnerable people in the city.

A task force is to be created, according to the council, to fully review what a spokesperson referred to as a “public health concern.”

Increase in stores

The number of high-street betting operators within Wakefield has gone up from 41 to 51 in the last ten years, with pretty much every large gambling company, including Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, William Hill, and more, being given the nod to open up stores within the decade.

Bingo halls and adult gaming centres such as arcades and casinos have also opened up in the area over recent years.

After the summer recess period is over, it is expected that the council’s probe into the effects of these stores and gambling options will begin.

Calls for change

A recovering problem gambler in the Wakefield area who chose to remain nameless called authorities to assert the necessity of problem gamblers and gambling addicts being given all the hep they need in order to deal with the effects of gambling related harm.

The former player stated that FOBTs were one of the biggest issues creating the growing trend of problem gambling addicts in the area.

With the recent Governmental decision being made that will see the maximum stake on FOBTs dropped from £100 every 20 seconds down to just £2, it is seen by many as the right time to research the effects of gambling and how to best help problem gamblers and friends and family affect ted by gambling related harm.

The UKGC is hoping the Wakefield City Council probe will bring a lot more information to light about the risks of gambling.