September newsletter
Hello there and welcome to our new-look newsletter! As you can see, we're using 'new' technology, so please forgive any glitches, and do let us know if you have any comments or feedback via the reply function.
We hope you’re all keeping well and enjoyed the late-summer sun we were treated to last week.
It’s only been two weeks since our last newsletter, but rather a lot has happened and we have some exciting news about upcoming events.
Last week, we joined the CAGA (Coalition Against Gambling Ads) bus tour, as it travelled from Swansea to Manchester, on to Edinburgh and then down to Birmingham and London. As you can see from the photo below, the bus was really quite striking and garnered a lot of attention.
|
|
|
The tour was covered by local and national media, and we received a warm welcome from members of the public and parliamentarians alike. The Gambling Commission’s CEO Andrew Rhodes met us in Birmingham on Wednesday, and we were greeted by a cross-party group of supportive MPs at Westminster on Thursday.
|
|
|
This Monday, we were in London where our families met a group of cross-party MPs who are part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Gambling-Related Harm. Carolyn Harris, Ronnie Cowan and Iain Duncan Smith heard our stories and what we feel needs to change to reduce the harm gambling causes. The meeting, which was filmed by Channel 4 and aired on Tuesday evening (see below), was followed in the evening by the launch of our new education programme.
|
|
|
|
Gambling with Lives on Channel 4 News, 14th September
|
|
Aimed at preventing harm, our education programme is unique in that it is completely independent of the gambling industry influence and therefore raises awareness of their addictive products and predatory practices. The launch, which was attended by over 100 people, was hosted by actor and presenter Alexis Conran and consisted of a screening of our new film, which will be used as part of the programme, followed by a panel Q&A and reception.
The programme will be piloted at schools in Essex, Manchester and Northern Ireland before being rolled out across the country. We are very proud of it – you can watch the film trailer below.
|
|
|
|
Gambling with Lives' new education film trailer
|
|
|
The following day, we joined Peter and Steph Shilton in the lashing rain at 10 Downing Street to hand in our petition, which is calling for an end to all gambling advertising and sponsorship in football. We were joined by several supportive MPs, and thankfully several umbrellas!
|
|
We told you it’s been a busy two weeks – and there’s lots coming up too!
Later this month, on the 28th, we’ll be launching the education programme in Belfast – please do get in touch if you’d like to attend.
Along with several GwL families, we were filmed last week for a new BBC documentary. Presented by Paul Merson, the one-hour documentary explores gambling addiction and will be broadcast at prime time on BBC One in October, we’ll let you know the exact date when we know. The timing of this documentary could not be better with the Gambling Act review due to release its white paper before the end of the year.
We’ve also got our parliamentary reception at Westminster in November – more details on that to follow in the interim.
You will, no doubt, have seen the news over the last 48 hours about the various ministerial reshuffles. As we write, Oliver Dowden has been replaced by Nadine Dorries as the head of the DCMS, and John Whittingdale is no longer Media and Data Minister. Events are still unfolding and it’s currently unclear who will take over Whittingdale’s brief regarding the Gambling Act review.
As we inch closer toward the release of the review white paper, we are optimistic that this will be a positive development for us. In the meantime, the fight goes on.
One last thing: we’re now on LinkedIn and YouTube – do follow us for the latest news!
As always, thank you for your support.
All the best,
Charles Ritchie
Co‑Chair of Trustees
|
|
|
|
