NHS England will be opening seven new gambling addiction clinics this summer in response to the increasing demand for support for “gambling-related harms.” Last year, around 1,400 patients were referred for help, which is a 35% increase compared to the previous year and nearly 80% increase compared to two years ago. According to the Gambling Commission, approximately 138,000 people in the UK may be experiencing problem gambling. To address this issue, the NHS is launching specialist gambling clinics in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Blackpool, and Sheffield. In addition to these new clinics, there are already eight gambling harms clinics in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford, as well as a national clinic in London that focuses on both gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people. The goal is to treat up to 3,000 patients a year across the 15 clinics. Treatment options will include cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy, support groups, and aftercare, with a team of psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, and peer support workers available to provide assistance to patients and their loved ones. Public Health Minister Neil O’Brien emphasized the significant impact of gambling-related harms on people’s lives and health and highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing this issue through their White Paper, which includes the introduction of a statutory levy on gambling companies to contribute to the costs of treatment services. NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard expressed concerns about the ease of online gambling and the influence of gambling advertisements, particularly on children. She called on football clubs to consider their responsibilities regarding their sponsorship deals with gambling companies, as these partnerships contribute to the normalization of gambling among younger audiences. Overall, the new clinics aim to provide vital support to a wider range of communities and help thousands of individuals struggling with gambling addiction.