NHS chiefs have warned that a flood of betting ads placed around Boxing Day sporting events will exacerbate Britain’s growing gambling problem.
They say promotional tactics by unscrupulous gambling companies, such as free Christmas bets, will encourage participants to bet more than they can afford and increase gambling-related harm.
Gambling addiction has taken a huge toll, with Britain’s NHS announcing that it had nearly doubled the number of specialist clinics it runs to support addicts last year, from eight to 15.
Health services face an “uphill battle” to provide adequate care to the growing number of patients with gambling-related health problems who are being referred by their GPs to their network of clinics.
Dr Matt Gaskell, director of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, urged people who received money as Christmas presents or bonuses not to risk losing money by gambling.
“People may receive extra money as gifts or bonuses during the holiday period, or realize they don’t have enough money and are tempted to bet, potentially ending up betting more than they intended.
“While it may seem tempting to be bombarded with ads promoting festive events, races and offers, such as free bets at Christmas, these tend to encourage people to place bets more frequently. “, Gaskell said.
“I have seen firsthand in my clinic that the festive period can lead to further gambling problems.”
NHS England clinics primarily provide psychological help to people suffering from gambling-related problems, including mental illness, risk of suicide and relationship breakdown. It stretches from Newcastle and Preston in the north to Southampton and Thurrock in the south.
The number of referrals accepted by the clinic almost tripled, from 775 in 2020/21 to 2,284 in 2023/24, as openings expanded in response to rising demand.
There are currently 15 clinics open and the company expects to treat at least 3,000 patients this year. Between April and September 2024, problem gamblers received a record 1,914 referrals, more than double the 836 referrals received during the same period in 2023.
“The 24/7 gambling industry continues to thrive through addictive products and especially mainstream sporting events, from putting gambling company logos on football shirts to eye-catching advertisements between TV matches.” The damage continues to increase with addictive products and unavoidable advertising, and more and more people are gambling beyond their means and control. ‘ said Claire Murdoch, National Director of Mental Health at NHS England.
“The NHS is fighting an uphill battle to provide care to the growing number of people affected by this modern scourge and the predatory tactics used by shameless gambling companies to increase their profits. I’m here.
“Addiction is a cruel disease that can control and destroy lives. The NHS cannot stand alone with the negative impacts caused by businesses that engage in activities that fuel addiction.”
Mr Murdoch added that anyone who suffers from a gambling problem, or is close to someone who suffers from a gambling problem, should seek help from the NHS. She called on companies to be more responsible and “think seriously about the potential harm to the people behind their profits.”
Ministers recently revealed plans to impose a new statutory tax on gambling industry profits, aiming to raise £100m a year. Proceeds will go towards research into problem gambling and how to prevent and treat it.
Industry-funded harm reduction charity GambleAware backed NHS concerns that Christmas gambling advertising poses particular difficulties for people who regularly bet.
“Anyone can be affected by gambling, and for many people Christmas is one of the most difficult times of the year.
Zoe Osmond, chief executive of GamblingAware, said: “When there are so many sports-related games around the Christmas holidays and there are so many gambling ads around them, it can be hard for people.” Ta.
“This is why we have called for a ban on gambling advertising in sport to prevent it from becoming normalized, especially for children and young people watching.”
of National Gambling Support NetworkThe charity, which helps problem gamblers across the UK, has treated almost 11,000 people this year. This is a 12% increase over last year. The National Gambling Helpline also receives 55,000 calls a year.
In October, the medical journal The Lancet’s Committee on Gambling warned that gambling posed a global threat to public health. The panel of experts said it was also linked to domestic violence and other crimes, and people losing their jobs.
Approximately 80 million adults around the world suffer from a gambling disorder or problem gambling, with adolescents, children and the poor most severely affected.
