Health experts warn against Gambling Bill

HEALTH experts yesterday warned the government’s controversial Gambling Bill could create addicts whose condition would lead to further problems including domestic violence and child abuse.

By The Newsroom

Published 5th Nov 2004, 00:00 BST

The stark warning came from the British Medical Association, which yesterday published findings by a professor of gambling studies whose research shows that a rapid expansion and liberalisation of gambling laws would provoke a serious public health problem.

Professor Mark Griffiths, from the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University, said pathological gambling was a "hidden addiction".

He said: "The rapid expansion of gambling represents a serious public health concern, and medical practitioners also need to research the impact of gambling on vulnerable, at risk, and special populations."

Gambling Nottingham Trent University