Key points:
- Gambling addiction referrals increased 130% year-over-year in England
- The NHS has expanded to 15 specialist gambling clinics, with seven opening in the past year
- Around 138,000 people in England are estimated to have serious gambling issues, with children and adolescents also significantly affected
The National Health Service in England has reported a major increase in gambling addiction referrals, with numbers more than doubling in the past year.
Between April and September 2024, almost 2,000 individuals were referred to gambling clinics, compared to approximately 800 during the same period in 2023.
In response to this growing demand, the NHS has expanded its network of specialist gambling clinics to 15 facilities across England since 2019, with seven new clinics opening in the past year.
These centres offer comprehensive support through multidisciplinary teams including psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and recovered gambling addicts.
Dr. Matt Gaskell, Head of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, has expressed particular concern about the holiday period, citing the convergence of sporting events and potential financial pressures as a "perfect storm" for vulnerable individuals.
Good to know: Recent Gambling Commission data indicates approximately 138,000 people may be experiencing problem gambling in England, with an additional 1.3 million engaging in moderate or low-risk gambling behaviour
Gaskell went on to say: “People may receive extra money as gifts or bonuses during the holiday period, or find that money is short, and could be tempted to place a bet, and end up betting more than they intended.
“With the barrage of adverts promoting festive fixtures, races, and offers, such as free Christmas bets, it can make it look enticing, but these tend to encourage people to bet at high frequency. I have seen first-hand at my clinic how the festive period can lead to additional gambling harms.”
Claire Murdoch, NHS National Director for Mental Health, emphasised the severity of gambling addiction while calling for greater industry responsibility, stating: “The NHS cannot be left alone to pick up the ills caused by firms engaging in activities that fuel addiction – these companies should think hard about the potential harms to people behind their profits.”
