NHS England has said seven new gambling addiction clinics will be opened this summer as addiction referrals hit record highs.
The health service has seen a steep rise in demand for support for “gambling-related harms,” a spokeswoman said.
New figures published on Sunday reveal that around 1,400 patients were referred for help last year, an increase of more than a third on the previous 12 months and up by almost four-fifths compared to two years ago.
Around 138,000 people could be problem gambling according to Gambling Commission figures.
As a result, the NHS is launching seven more specialist gambling clinics to support people who are struggling.
The seven new clinics are in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Blackpool, and Sheffield.
There are already eight gambling harms clinics open in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford, as well as an additional national clinic, which treats both gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people, in London.
The NHS plans to treat up to 3,000 patients a year across the 15 clinics.
Patients with serious addiction will be helped though cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy, support groups, and aftercare.
‘Devastating Impact’
The announcement comes just days after a coroner ruled that a gambling disorder contributed to the death of a father-of-two.Luke Ashton had lost thousands of pounds gambling on Betfair’s exchange before he died by suicide at the age of 40 on April 22, 2021, and had previously racked up debts of £18,000.
At the conclusion of a three-day inquest into his death at Leicester Coroner’s Court on Thursday, area coroner Ivan Cartwright said the betting company could have done more to help him before he took his own life.
Commenting on the new clinics, Public Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: “The stark rise in the number of people seeking NHS treatment for gambling-related harms shows the devastating impact it can have on people’s lives and health.
“These new clinics will bring vital support to more parts of the country, so thousands more people can get the help they need.
‘Bombarded’ with Gambling Ads
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard expressed concerns over “touch of a button” bets, which she said has exacerbated the addiction problem.She said: “In 1948 when the NHS was founded, you had to go to a bookies to place a bet, but now people can gamble on their phone at the touch of a button, and everyone, young and old, is bombarded with adverts encouraging them to take part.
“Record numbers of people are coming to the NHS for help to treat their gambling addiction, a cruel disease which has the power to destroy people’s lives, with referrals up by more than a third compared to last year.”
Talking to BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show, Pritchard said that football clubs should “think seriously” about their responsibilities to fans.
“We’ve had three this week that have entered into deals with gambling industry providers for shirt sponsorship, which means that it’s kids that are seeing every day now messages that say gambling is OK,” she said.
“And I think actually would be really great to see the gambling industry and also organisations like football clubs really think seriously about their responsibilities here too.”
