London Assembly launches inquiry to understand the impact of problem gambling on people's health

In an effort to understand the scope of the damage caused by problem gambling on the health of London's population, the London Assembly has launched a comprehensive inquiry. The campaign asks those affected by gambling or with knowledge of its impacts in the British capital to share their experiences.

The inquiry, led by the London Assembly Health Committee, will focus on understanding how a problematic relationship with gambling can affect an individual's health and what kind of assistance is currently available. One of the objectives is also to determine what actions can be taken to mitigate these harmful effects.

Until November 29, the assembly is inviting those with experience or knowledge on the subject to submit written evidence to help shape the investigation. The information gathered will not only guide the Committee's work but will also influence its future recommendations.

The initiative comes after a warning last summer from NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard, who revealed a worrying increase in the number of people seeking help for gambling addiction. The data shows an increase of more than a third in referrals to gambling-related support services since last year. In absolute numbers, this means an increase from 1,013 referrals in 2021/22 to 1,389 in 2022/23.

Amanda Pritchard

Amid these concerns, NHS England has announced plans to treat up to 3,000 patients a year in its 15 specialist clinics. Statistics from the Gambling Commission are also revealing, estimating that around 138,000 people may be involved in harmful gambling, while another 1.3 million may be in moderate or low-risk situations.

The London initiative is a direct response to growing concerns about the potential harm caused by gambling and its relationship to health problems. Its aim is to inform the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, about developing policies and initiatives to reduce gambling-related harms.

Dr Onkar Sahota