Friday, January 19, 2007

This recommendation is part of a tough set of proposals aimed at helping
healthcare professionals deal effectively with the growing problem of
gambling addiction in the UK. The report is timely given the 2005 Gambling
Act is due to come into force this September. The new UK legislation will
increase gambling facilities and subsequently problem gambling may rise
too - health professionals must be prepared for this. The BMA is
particularly worried about adolescent problem gamblers and the report is
calling for a review on whether slot machine gambling should be prohibited
to anyone under 18. Fruit machine addiction can lead to behavioural problems
such as truanting, stealing and aggressive behaviour. Studies have shown
that gambling among young people often goes hand in hand with other
addictive activities such as drug taking and alcohol abuse and has been
linked to juvenile crime. Dr Colin Hamilton, Chairman of the BMA's Public
Health Committee in Northern Ireland, said today: "We know that gambling is
a persistent problem in Northern Ireland and one that is increasing amongst
young men. Evidence shows that this group of people are not only using
gaming machines but moving to gambling online. "Gamblers Anonymous in
Northern Ireland does a excellent job in helping addicts but we do need to
make treatment available on the NHS, similar to the drug and alcohol
services currently provided."` The BMA Head of Science and Ethics, Dr
Vivienne Nathanson, said: "Problem gambling is associated with a number of
health problems and the BMA is concerned that there are insufficient
treatment facilities available. Psychological problems can include anxiety,
depression, guilt and suicidal thoughts. Relationships with family and
friends can also be affected by gambling, sometimes leading to separation
and divorce.

"There needs to be treatment for problem gambling available on the NHS
similar to drug and alcohol services. The BMA is calling on the Gaming
Industry to pay at least £10m per annum via the Responsibility in Gambling
Trust to fund research, prevention and intervention programmes."

Contributing author of the report, Professor Mark Griffiths of the
International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University, sees
remote gambling as another cause for concern. This includes gambling via the
internet, mobile phone and interactive television gambling. He said that:
"Online gambling in the UK has doubled since 2001 and further research in
this area should be seen as a priority."