Government's approach to gambling addiction inadequate - Foster

5.36.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Jan 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."

Applicability: this item refers to England and Wales. Due to devolution, detailed policy may be different in other areas of the UK.