24 February 2022 Gaming Machine Inquiry Session 3 Meeting Minutes

Minutes - RHRG APG Gaming Machine Inquiry Session 3

Topic: Gaming Machines – perspectives from individuals with lived experience
Date: Thursday 28 February 2022
Time: 1:15PM
Location: Virtual Meeting via Zoom platform  
Chairperson: Philip McGuigan MLA
Minute taker: Connor Hogan, Chambré

Members Present
Philip McGuigan MLA (PMc)

Apologies
Robbie Butler MLA
Pam Cameron MLA
Pat Catney MLA 

External guests
James Grimes – Gambling with Lives
Ciarán Mee - Department for Communities
Martina Campbell - Department for Communities
Michael Smyth - Department for Communities
Tim Cairns - CARE
Ellen Finlay - Samaritans NI
Gillian McAtackney - GamCare
Erin McEvoy - Ulster University
Kev Clelland, YGAM
Claire Patel, YGAM
Jane Rigbye, YGAM
James Matthewson, YGAM

Secretariat
Connor Hogan, Chambré
Will Chambré, Chambré

Welcome
PM opened the meeting and advised attendees that the session would be recorded.

Minutes of previous meetings
Due to insufficient members from previous meetings in attendance, the minutes from the 3 and 10 of February were unable to be approved. To be tabled for approval at next meeting of APG on 3 March.

Matters arising
None

Oral evidence

·       The Secretariat advised that Byron McNern was be unable to attend the meeting.

·       James Grimes – lived experience of gambling harm from gaming machines, founder of the Big Step and Head of Education at Gambling with Lives.

Questions

James Grimes took questions from PM and from observers

PMc suggested that the APG send a card to Charles and Liz Ritchie, who are currently attending the inquest into the death of their son, Jack, in London

Action: Secretariat to organise to have card made, signed and sent to the Ritchies.

Presentation from YGAM

Kev McClelland and Claire Patel from YGAM gave a presentation on their  ‘Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme’

Stephen from the Youth Work Alliance (YWA) was unable to attend

Questions

Kev and Claire took some questions from Philip.

PMc asked that YWA be contacted for information on the research being undertaken by Education Authority and Queen’s University Belfast.

Action: Secretariat to request information on EA/QUB research from YWA.

AOB
Secretariat submitting APG response to draft Codes of Practice 25 February.

APG AGM will be conducted ahead of next meeting.

Next meeting
Philip advised members that the next meeting would be held on 3 March. Members will hear from the Department for Communities.