Sharp Increase in Gambling Addiction Referrals Across England
Gambling addiction referrals surge by 130% year-over-year
The NHS in England has reported a significant rise in gambling addiction referrals, with cases more than doubling in a year. Between April and September 2024, nearly 2,000 people sought help from specialist clinics, compared to just over 800 in the same period in 2023.
NHS responds with expanded specialist services
To meet the increasing demand, the NHS has expanded its network of specialist gambling clinics to 15 locations across England since 2019. Seven new clinics were established within the past year, providing access to comprehensive treatment from multidisciplinary teams comprising psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, and individuals with lived experience of gambling addiction.
Holiday period raises additional concerns
Dr. Matt Gaskell, Head of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, highlighted the holiday season as a particularly risky time. He described the combination of festive sporting events, financial pressures, and targeted advertising as a “perfect storm” for those vulnerable to gambling-related harms.
“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,” Gaskell stated. “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.”
Alarming statistics on gambling in England
Recent data from the Gambling Commission estimates that around 138,000 individuals in England are dealing with serious gambling issues. An additional 1.3 million are reported to engage in moderate or low-risk gambling behaviours. Children and adolescents are also notably affected by gambling-related problems, further emphasising the scale of the issue.
Calls for industry accountability
Claire Murdoch, NHS National Director for Mental Health, stressed the need for gambling companies to take greater responsibility for their actions. “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,” she remarked.