Leeds mum whose daughter took her own life after struggling with gambling addiction says it's time for the government to act
Kay Wadsworth is speaking to MPs as a major review into UK gambling laws starts
Last updated 8th Dec 2020
The mum of a Leeds woman who took her own life after struggling with gambling addiction will give evidence on behalf of female gamblers as the government launches a major review into UK betting laws.
Kay Wadsworth's daughter, Kimberley, started gambling in 2015 against a backdrop of depression and the death of her father.
She lost tens of thousands of pounds, but struggled to discuss her addiction.
Mrs Wadsworth said: "She kept it to herself. She was such a beautiful, vivacious young girl who loved life. We were very proud of her as parents.
"But her father died suddenly at fifty-seven from a heart-attack and I don't think she ever got over it. Addiction can happen to anyone."
As Kimberley continued to spend, one betting site made her a 'VIP' offering her free incentives to continue gambling.
"They get you when you're most vulnerable. They hounded her...like a lamb. They even gave her free money to carry on", said Kay.
"They rely on people sobbbing into their pillow at night, because they haven't got any money and they don't know how they're going to pay their next rent.
"And the day that Kimberley took her life was the day her rent was due. And she couldn't pay it."
In 2018 Kay arranged for her to see a clinical hypnotherapist. But Kimberley never made it.
WHERE TO GET HELP IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING:
You don't have to suffer in silence if you're struggling with your mental health. Here are some groups you can contact when you need help.
Samaritans: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org, in confidence.
Childline: Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won't show up on your bill
The NHS Northern Gambling Service: Email at referral.ngs@nhs.net providing a contact number, or call on 0300 3001490 giving a contact number if leaving a message.
GamCare Leeds: Call on 0113 388 6466, Email at leedscommunitygamblingservice@gamcare.org.uk
She is now fighting to help women get the support they need alonsgide calling for a ban on adverts and 'dangerous' VIP schemes, which typically require customers to spend a minimum of £1,000 per month.
In October, rules changed to ensure bookmakers make sure customers can afford what they are betting before they make a customer a VIP.
Gambling companies must assess whether there is previous evidence of harm or addiction, and make a senior manager personally responsible for the schemes, and they will be accountable when they go wrong.
But for many, including Kay, the change did not got far enough.
Ladbrokes’ owner GVC admitted it takes 38 per cent of deposits from just over one per cent of its customers, while Paddy Power Betfair last year took a fifth of its revenues from just 0.6 per cent of customers.
Kay said: "The government has the power to change this. And it's vital that I get through to them.
"If I can't get through as Kimberley's mum then what is the point in speaking about it?
"I'll be spending Christmas alone because I lost Kimberley to gambling addiction. That's the cold fact.
"But we have to get the message out there, particularly to women, that if you know anyone struggling there is help out there."
The review into gambling laws, which starts today, will be "major and wide-ranging review", and may include limits on online stakes and restrictions on advertising.
A major change will be the rise in age threshold from 16 to 18 for the National Lottery and including scratchcards from October 2021. Before that, online sales to 16 and 17-year-olds will stop in April 2021.
Betting firms could also be banned from sponsoring football shirts.
Sport minister Nigel Huddleston said: "We're committed to protecting young people from gambling-related harm, which is why we are raising the minimum age for the National Lottery.
"Patterns of play have changed since its inception, with a shift towards online games, and this change will help make sure the National Lottery, although already low-risk, is not a gateway to problem gambling."
But for many the review is long-overdue, as they believe the gambling laws were never meant for the smartphone era.
In June a report from the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group recommended a complete overhaul of gambling regulation in the UK stating the Gambling Commission is not fit for purpose.
They also echo Kay's call for a ban on all gambling advertising as well as VIP schemes and inducements, stating the schemes are "highly profitable for gambling companies and continue to lead to significant harm."
The call for evidence will run for 16 weeks and will close on 31 March 2021.