Alcoholic Drinks: Gambling

(asked on 17th July 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on the potential link between alcohol and problem gambling; and what steps he is taking to tackle that link.


Answered by
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine
This question was answered on 20th July 2017

Alcohol misuse and problem gambling can be regarded as significant public health problems with adverse consequences for the individuals concerned and to wider society.

A range of Government initiatives have been taken at a national level to tackle alcohol misuse. An essential part of our strategy to tackle alcohol harms is the provision of high quality, evidence based treatment services. Local alcohol and drug treatment services are commissioned by local authorities on the basis of local needs assessment. They should be commissioned to have competent staff who are equipped to identify and respond appropriately to a broad range of patient needs, including problem gambling, and then refer them appropriately through established pathways.

Additionally there are a range of services available to problem gamblers, details of which can be found on the NHS Choices website.

The Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) funds GamCare, an independent charity offering help and support, and a specialist National Health Service service for gambling disorders. The RGT collects donations from the gambling industry to fund them. Some NHS mental health services also treat gambling problems and self-help is available from Gamblers Anonymous.

Public Health England has published a briefing for local authorities, with the Local Government Association, on problem gambling and what action local authorities could take.

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