According to a report by the BBC, four out of every 10 police forces across England and Wales are failing to identify problem gambling as a determining factor for criminal activity.
The data was obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Howard League for Penal Reform. It shows that while all forces are following the correct protocols for drug and alcohol screening along with assessing a suspect’s mental health, not all forces ask a suspect if they have or have ever had a gambling problem.
Screening for potential gambling addiction is an important step in the processing of a suspect as it can later be used in court as a mitigating factor. Critics of the police’s handling of problem gambling say that this lack of awareness and questioning is leading to some problem gamblers not getting the assistance that they need.
Lord Goldsmith, the chair for the Howard League for Penal Reform’s Commission on Crime and Gambling Related Harms, said:
“The police have got a lot to do – we have to recognise that – but this not a terribly difficult thing to do. This is something that can be added to the screening processes. We want people to be aware of this problem.”
In one instance, Ben Jones, a man from Nottinghamshire, stole £374,000 (€438,391) to feed his gambling addiction. However, he was not asked about the possibility of a gambling problem when he was arrested.
He then received a three-year sentence, in 2019, and found there was no gambling addiction program available in prison.
“They have drug-recovery and alcohol-recovery programmes but nothing for gambling so the only support I could get was by going to AA [Alcoholics Anonymous meetings] because that was the only support I could get,” he says.
The Ministry of Justice told BBC News:
“We understand the costs of gambling addiction to society, which is why prisoners are assessed and can be referred to treatment services when needed.
New guidance has also been put in place for staff, so they are better equipped to deal with gambling addicts. “We continue to work with groups across the criminal-justice system, to explore what further treatment for gambling addiction should be put in place for those in prison or on probation.”
Meanwhile, the National Police Chiefs Council said of the overall issue:
“We recognise there is still work to be done in this field and are gathering best practice from forces on early screening of gambling addicts, offering the right support and signpost to where they can seek further help. This approach requires partnership working, as police intervention often comes at a very late stage.
Therefore, we will continue to work with our partners to provide the support that anyone with a gambling addition requires.”
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.