Claire Murdoch, national mental health director for NHS England, has called for a compulsory levy on gambling companies to fund addiction treatment, criticising the current voluntary system as inadequate. She stated that the industry has profited during the pandemic while leaving the NHS to 'pick up the pieces' of gambling addiction.
Her intervention comes amid a government review of laws governing the £11bn-a-year betting sector. Murdoch noted that 750 people have been referred to specialist clinics since April 2020, and the NHS plans to open more clinics as it believes current efforts only reach 'the tip of the iceberg.' Studies estimate between 300,000 and 1.4m gambling addicts in Great Britain, but only 3% receive specialist help.
Successive lockdowns have boosted online gambling revenue, with companies like Flutter and Entain reporting significant increases. However, Murdoch described industry contributions to treatment as a 'drop in the ocean.' The voluntary levy raises only £10m-£15m annually, with some operators donating as little as £1.
MPs, addiction experts, and the Gambling Commission have previously supported a mandatory levy. Labour MP Carolyn Harris said the industry should not decide how much it pays for the damage it causes. Conservative MP Richard Holden also backed the move, calling it 'common sense.'
The government, which has resisted a mandatory levy in the past, is now considering it as part of its gambling review. Meanwhile, the NHS is expanding services with two new specialist clinics and 14 more planned.
