NHS to open UK’s first gambling addiction clinic for children

Children will be able to access treatment for their gambling addictions in the first clinic of its kind in the UK.

The NHS will open the new service for 13 to 25-year-olds based at the UK’s only dedicated gambling addiction centre, the National Problem Gambling Clinic in London.

NHS England said there was growing concern that online gaming sites and targeted adverts are fuelling addiction, including among children.

There are an estimated 55,000 children and young people aged 11 to 16 with a serious gambling problem.

A Gambling Commission report published last winter found that 14% of 11 to 16-year-olds had spent their own money on gambling in the previous week, spending on average £16 each.

This compared to 13% who had drunk alcohol in the past week, 4% who had smoked cigarettes and 2% who had taken illegal drugs.

Types of betting included a private bet for money with friends, scratchcards, fruit machines and playing cards for money.

Some 5% of 11-16-year-olds had spent their own money on online gambling in the past 12 months, with 6% of those using a parent or guardian’s account.

Some 13% had also played gambling-style games online, with 31% opening ‘loot boxes’ in a computer game or app.

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: ‘The links between problem gambling and stress, depression and mental health problems are growing and there are too many stories of lives lost and families destroyed.

‘This action shows just how seriously the NHS takes the threat of gambling addiction, even in young people, but we need to be clear – tackling mental ill health caused by addiction is everyone’s responsibility – especially those firms that directly contribute to the problem.’