GPs to Screen Patients for Gambling Habits Under New NHS Guidelines

Guidance aims to identify gambling-related harms earlier, with targeted questions during health checks and GP appointments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommends that GPs ask patients about gambling habits alongside smoking and alcohol use during routine health checks.
The guidance targets high-risk groups, including young people leaving home for the first time, individuals with mental health conditions, and those on medications affecting impulse control.
Patients identified as at risk will be encouraged to assess their gambling severity through an NHS questionnaire, with referrals to specialist gambling clinics for higher scores.
Gambling-related harm is linked to significant mental health risks, including suicidal thoughts, with an estimated one in 40 adults experiencing problematic gambling.
The NHS has expanded its support network with 15 gambling clinics across England, funded partly by a new levy on casinos and bookmakers expected to raise £100 million annually.