With the announcement of plans to deliver the first significant changes to gambling laws in Northern Ireland for over 35 years, a father whose son took his own life after becoming addicted to gambling, has welcomed the announcement but is also looking to the future and what else can be done to tighten gambling legislation here.

Lewis Keogh took his own life in Leeds in 2013 after racking up thousands of pounds worth of debt. His parents, Pete and Sadie, are part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by the family of friends of those who took their own lives to raise awareness around the dangers of gambling addiction, they want to let those who may need help get in touch.

The charity has lobbied politicians in the past around gambling legislation and Pete is glad progress is being made.

“1985 was the last review of the gambling laws in Northern Ireland, so that is 36 years ago. It is long overdue. I mean the mobile phone wasn’t even heard off and that is where a lot of people do their gambling today on their mobile phone,” Pete said.

Looking at the proposed changes to the legislation Pete is enthused by the proposed new legislation which will create powers to impose a statutory levy on gambling operators and the improving protection for children.

“The proposal for the levy is very, very welcomed. That is a mandatory levy as opposed to what some of the gambling companies were doing, putting a little bit of money into various charitable organisations, to offset the damage they were doing which I don’t think is right.

“They need to know that they are causing a lot of damage, a lot of pain and a lot of death. I know only too well where that comes from.

“They need to pay for education, treatment and legislation, the three things we need to get done here and we are starting with legislation at the minute.

“The tightening up of the ban on under 18s and the need to produce ID is also very welcome,” added Pete.

Pete would like to see a mandatory levy of one per cent of pre income tax from gambling companies which then can be used whatever way is best.

Looking to the future Pete wants to see the creation of a combined gambling commission and ombudsman to deal with legislation and complaints from the public.

“We need somebody who has authority and legal right to go to gambling companies and say you are out of step, you haven’t shown a duty of care towards this person and we are going to fine you or suspend your licence or whatever.”

Fixed Odd Betting Terminals (FOBTs) are also on Pete’s radar. He said they are not even legal in Northern Ireland and he hopes the government can work towards removing them from premises.

Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomed the plans by Minister Deirdre Hargey to deliver major reform of gambling laws.

The Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA said: “Minister Deirdre Hargey’s plans to change the law to modernise gambling laws and protect people who gamble are very welcome.

“These changes will update laws which are decades out of date and don’t reflect changes in technology. We must make every effort to tackle problem gambling and keep people safe, particularly young people. These changes will be a major step towards modernising gambling laws and making gambling safer.”

The first phase will be legislation to deliver tangible changes in around 17 key areas mainly around premises-based gambling including improving protection for children and young people, as well as some relaxations around hours of operation.

Phase two will require a much longer timescale and will include a completely new regulatory framework that will regulate online gambling, including gaming machines.