NHS warning over Boxing Day betting adverts as demand for gambling addiction treatment soars
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Advertisements for Boxing Day betting could cause ‘perfect storm’, doctors say. NHS bosses have warned people to be wary of “enticing” betting adverts this Boxing Day, as it revealed demand for gambling addiction treatment has soared in the last year.
![[The NHS has almost doubled the number of clinics for problem gambling in England with 15 services now operating across the country]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/26/10/01HQABSZM1W6MSZEVMSP4HPM4X.jpg)
While NHS England is facing an “uphill battle” to help addicts, experts say many will be facing a “barrage” of advertisements encouraging the practice during the festive season. With 20 Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day and a big day in the winter horse racing calendar, doctors voiced concerns this could create a “perfect storm” of temptation for those who have suffered from gambling addictions in the past.
![[With 20 Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day, doctors voiced concerns that this could create a ‘perfect storm’ of temptation]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/08/12/11/2023-12-26T150945Z_1085180388_UP1EJCQ16476Z_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-BOU-FUL-REPORT.jpg)
Dr Matt Gaskell, head of the NHS Northern Gambling Service, said: “People may receive extra money as gifts or bonuses during the holiday period, or find that money is short, could be tempted to place a bet and end up betting more than they intended.
“With the barrage of adverts promoting festive fixtures, races, and offers, such as free Christmas bets, it can make it look enticing, but these tend to encourage people to bet at high frequency. “I have seen first-hand at my clinic how the festive period can lead to additional gambling harms. If you’re worried about how gambling is affecting you, I urge you to please come forward to our clinics by self-referring or speak to your GP practice.”.
