Home > Stormont Sources podcast. Gambling addiction: NI’s hidden crisis.

McCann, David and McGuigan, Philip and Cairns, Tim and McKernan, Michael (2025) Stormont Sources podcast. Gambling addiction: NI’s hidden crisis. Belfast: Stormont Sources.

External website: https://stormontsources.com/listen


Northern Ireland has one of the highest rates of gambling harm in the UK, yet Stormont has been slow to act. In this episode of Stormont Sources, David McCann sits down with Philip McGuigan MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group on Reducing Gambling Harm, plus, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan discuss:

  • The personal impact of gambling addiction on individuals and families
  • Why Northern Ireland lacks support services compared to England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland
  • The urgent need for updated legislation and an independent gambling regulator
  • How online gambling complicates regulation and enforcement
  • Potential solutions, including a gambling levy to fund treatment, prevention, and education [48 minutes]

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling harm, seek help:

GamStop: https://www.gamstop.co.uk
Dunlewey: Support for gambling addiction counselling in Northern Ireland
Subscribe for more in-depth political analysis: Stormont Sources YouTube Channel

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