A mother from Kent whose son took his own life after becoming addicted to gambling is backing calls by MPs to treat gambling as a public health risk in a similar way to drinking and smoking.
Lesley Wade, from Minster on the Isle of Sheppey, lost her son Aaron Armstrong, whom she describes as “family orientated”, “fun” and a “brilliant sportsman,” in 2014.
She said it had taken her many years to understand the nature of addiction and that “the onus wasn’t all on him” to stop gambling.
The Betting and Gaming Council said the “overwhelming majority” of people who gamble do so “safely and responsibly.”