NHS chief slams operators over funding for gambling addiction

NHS CEO Simon Stevens has criticised gambling operators and their funding for gambling issues, calling for the introduction of a mandatory levy to fund evidence-based NHS treatment, research and education.

Stevens said the current voluntary funding arrangements “just don’t add up” and that a mandatory levy for treatment for gambling related harm would ease the financial burden on taxpayers and the NHS.

“This is an industry that splashes £1.5 billion on marketing and advertising campaigns, much of it now pumped out online and through social media, but it has been spending just a fraction of that helping customers and their families deal with the direct consequences of addiction,” Stevens added.

Stevens was speaking at the launch of the first UK gambling clinic for children, part of a new network of services for gambling-related harm being launched under the NHS Long Term Plan.

The first-of-its-kind clinic will enable psychiatrists and clinical psychologists to work with individuals dealing with a range of gambling-related harm issues.

Previously, specialist NHS treatment for gambling-related harm has only been available in London, but a further 14 new NHS clinics are being opened across the UK as part of the Long Term Plan, starting with Leeds, Manchester and Sunderland.

Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport highlighted the expansion of services to include underage gamblers as being vital to the success of treatment in the UK.

Wright called on operators to be socially responsible and “take all reasonable steps to keep people safe, including by increasing funding for research, education and treatment.”

“My department is working with the industry towards a strong package of measures to ensure vulnerable people are protected,” Wright added.

The five largest UK bookmakers last week pledged to increase their donations to problem gambling causes to 1% of GGR over the next five years.