COVID-19 and the Gambling Epidemic

That the Parliament acknowledges a report by the University of Sheffield, which says that gambling is a serious public health issue and one that must be treated with the same fervour as alcoholism and drug use; understands that previous studies have shown it to be an addiction that afflicts all age groups, even children as young as 11; further understands that researchers have found that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social isolation has fuelled an epidemic of addiction to online gambling and that services aimed at gambling rehabilitation have struggled to move online, leaving many, including in Shettleston, with problematic addictions without access to help, and notes the view that, in line with the recommendations in the university report, a public health strategy must be devised with national and local interventions.