Key points:
- Healthcare professionals are advised to incorporate gambling screening into routine health checks
- New guidelines emphasise early identification of at-risk individuals and recommend standardised assessment tools
- Implementation is supported by the expansion of NHS specialist gambling clinics and the upcoming statutory industry levy
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new guidelines recommending that healthcare professionals integrate gambling-related queries into routine health assessments.
The guidance marks NICE's first clinical guideline specifically addressing gambling-related harm identification and management.
Under the new recommendations, healthcare providers are advised to discuss gambling alongside traditional health topics such as smoking and alcohol consumption during routine appointments.
The guidelines particularly emphasise screening patients presenting with depression, anxiety, self-harm or substance dependence, as these groups may face elevated risks of gambling-related harm.
Healthcare professionals are also advised to consider involving family members in treatment plans when appropriate and to ensure that gambling treatment services are provided separately from substance abuse facilities.
Good to know: The guidance recommends using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) questionnaire to assess risk levels, with scores of 8 or above indicating a need for specialist treatment
This initiative coincides with significant expansion in NHS gambling treatment infrastructure, with 15 specialist clinics now operating across the country.
Additionally, the government's planned statutory levy on gambling operators is expected to generate £100m ($124m) annually to support treatment services.
The guidelines' release follows recent NHS data showing a 130% year-over-year increase in gambling addiction referrals, with approximately 2,000 individuals seeking help between April and September 2024.
