GPs to ask patients about gambling habits amid sharp rise in referrals to NHS clinics
NHS doctors are set to ask patients about gambling habits as part of routine health checks under new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
The move aims to identify those at risk of gambling-related harm amid a sharp rise in referrals to NHS gambling clinics.
The questions, which will also be included in the registration process for new GP patients, come as health services grapple with increasing demand.
Referrals to NHS gambling clinics have more than doubled in the past year, with health leaders describing the situation as an "uphill battle."
Estimates suggest over one million people in Britain have a gambling problem, with one in 10 regular gamblers reportedly considering suicide, according to surveys.
Under the guidance, GPs are encouraged to ask direct questions such as, "Do you gamble?" and "Are you worried about your own or someone else’s gambling?"
These questions will be posed alongside standard queries about smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance use.
The recommendations emphasise the need to focus on groups considered at higher risk.
They include young adults leaving home for the first time, individuals with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD, and those on medications that affect impulse control.
NICE also advises GPs to consider gambling-related questions even when no apparent risk factors are present.
Research from last year revealed that one in 40 adults in the UK may have a gambling problem - eight times higher than previous estimates.
A further 12 per cent gamble in ways that put them at heightened risk of harm.
The guidance calls for individuals to assess the severity of their gambling habits using an NHS questionnaire available online.
A score of eight or higher should prompt referral to a specialist NHS gambling clinic, while those with lower scores may still be directed to other support services.
Those identified as having a gambling problem will receive counselling on practical steps to quit, including advice on using gambling-blocking software.
Health leaders hope the proactive measures will stem the tide of gambling-related harm and help those affected get the support they need.
Professor Jonathan Benger, Nice's chief medical officer, said: "Gambling-related harm has a devastating impact on those who experience it, and the people close to them.
"Our useful and usable guideline will help healthcare professionals and others to identify those needing help earlier and ensure they get the treatment and support they need."
Since 2019, NHS England has launched 15 gambling clinics nationwide, including seven new facilities opened in 2024. These clinics are set to support up to 3,000 people annually.
Starting in April, casinos and bookmakers will be required to pay a levy designed to generate £100 million each year to fund support and treatment services for gambling-related harm.
Primary Care Medical Director at NHS England, Dr Claire Fuller, said: "We welcome Nice's decision as gambling can have a massive impact on people's lives and the lives of the people that care for them, and as healthcare professionals we need the right tools to help tackle gambling-related harms.
"Over the past few years, the NHS has made significant progress in expanding treatment for gambling addiction with the rollout of 15 specialist clinics across the country.
"So, if you’re worried about your gambling, there is support available, and you can directly refer yourself to your local NHS gambling clinic."
Dr Adrian Hayter, medical director for clinical policy at the Royal College of GPs, said: "As GPs, we see the devastating impact that gambling-related harms have on our patients and their families, but compared with other addictions, the signs of problem gambling can be well hidden.
";We know that patients often only ask for help once gambling has already negatively impacted their lives and this Nice guidance aims to encourage people to discuss their issues around gambling with a trusted healthcare professional in a confidential space before their problems worsen.
"However, we have to acknowledge the constraints of a 10-minute appointment that is already too short to accommodate the increasingly complex needs of our patients."
A spokesman for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), said the "overwhelming majority" of British people who gamble "do so safely and responsibly".
They added: "BGC members voluntarily contributed over £170 million over the last four years to tackle problem gambling and gambling-related harm, including £50 million in 2024, funding an independent network of charities currently caring for 85 per cent of all problem gamblers receiving treatment in Britain."
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare –
- Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to