Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (GP)

My Lords, I declare an interest as a member of Peers for Gambling Reform. We have just heard an overwhelming case from its leader. I will make a couple of additional points. First, in our debate on an earlier group of amendments many hours ago, we linked the need for improvements to this Bill to tackling public health challenges. This is a public health challenge. I point noble Lords who are not aware of it to the Lancet public health commission on gambling, which reported in 2024 and pointed out how much more we now understand, medically speaking, about the impact of gambling on our communities and on so many individuals. It lists damage including loss of employment, broken relationships, crime-related impacts, suicidality and domestic violence, and says that much of that harm is found among people who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for gambling disorders. It is a widespread problem. I have to acknowledge here the work of many community campaigns, one of which I have worked with: Gambling with Lives, which is led by families affected by suicide linked to gambling. This is a toxic industry causing great harm. I second the point made by the noble Lord about the timing and history of this. Many Member of your Lordships’ House were not here when the House of Lords Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry reported in 2019. The title of that report was Gambling Harm—Time for Action. As the noble Lord, Lord Foster of Bath, just said, different Governments have said, “Yes, we’re going to act”. The Select Committee said that. The Lancet commission is saying, “Act”. Here is the opportunity—please, let us act.