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BETTING firms could be taxed to pay for addiction treatment, the head of the English NHS has suggested.
NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens condemned the “fraction” spent by the industry on helping those struggling with addiction compared with the amount spent on advertising and marketing.
He was speaking as the NHS announced a new service for 13 to 25-year-olds based at the National Problem Gambling Clinic (NPGC) in London. The clinic is Britain’s only dedicated gambling addiction centre.
Up to 14 more gambling addiction clinics, initially focusing on adults, are expected to open in the coming months.
These include the NHS Northern Gambling Clinic in Leeds this summer followed by satellite clinics in Manchester and Sunderland.
NHS England said there was growing concern that online gaming sites and targeted adverts are fuelling addiction, including among children.
Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, founder and director of the NPGC and the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ spokeswoman on behavioural addictions, said: “Gambling disorder is a destructive condition which doesn’t discriminate.
“It wrecks lives, pulls families into debt, and can leave people feeling suicidal.”
