Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Commenting on the British Medical Association's call for gambling addiction
to be treated on the NHS, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary, Don Foster MP said: "This report highlights just how inadequate
the Government's approach to services for gambling addiction has been. "Not
only is funding for problem gambling in the UK well below that of other
countries but the gambling industry has made a woefully inadequate attempt
to meet the targets they were set. "Tessa Jowell told us that this
legislation would have failed if problem gambling increased, yet the
Government still has no idea how many people are currently being treated.
"The Government has allowed the industry to neglect its responsibilities in
funding these services and must now consider using its power under the
Gambling Act to impose a statutory levy to ensure these services are
properly funded."