{"id":8592,"date":"2025-02-04T06:53:24","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T06:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slategray-wallaby-310340.hostingersite.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/04\/uk-gambling-harm-reduction-sector-faces-uncertainty-following-new-nice-guidelines\/"},"modified":"2025-02-04T06:53:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T06:53:24","slug":"uk-gambling-harm-reduction-sector-faces-uncertainty-following-new-nice-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/04\/uk-gambling-harm-reduction-sector-faces-uncertainty-following-new-nice-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Gambling Harm Reduction Sector Faces Uncertainty Following New NICE Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The gambling industry is in disarray as a result of a major change in the UK\u2019s approach to damage reduction. On January 28, 2025, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released its first-ever clinical guidelines on the negative effects of gaming. Keeping gambling treatment programs free from industry influence is one of NICE\u2019s core directives.<\/p>\n

Strained Relationships and Exclusion<\/h2>\n

The new guidelines have led to fractured relationships and growing anxiety among stakeholders in the harm reduction sector. According to Frank McCready, a former head of safer gambling at GamCare and current member of Better Change, there is widespread uncertainty about how to proceed. He stated, \u201cPeople are very nervous and don\u2019t know which direction they should be taking.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The guidelines also resulted in GamCare\u2019s decision to discontinue its Safer Gambling Standard function at the end of 2024. The organization feared that continued involvement could jeopardize its NHS partnerships.<\/p>\n

Robert Mabbett, engagement director at Better Change, highlighted concerns over the exclusion of experienced professionals. \u201cThe industry voluntarily provided both money and expertise. Now, industry voices are being dismissed, and experienced professionals are being locked out simply because of past associations,\u201d<\/em> Mabbett said. He added that, while this approach might have been understandable a decade ago, the situation has changed.<\/p>\n

The sector faces growing uncertainty about future funding. Gambling operators contributed \u00a3120 million ($148.96 million) between 2019 and 2024 for research, education, and treatment. However, the new mandatory levy, aimed at raising \u00a3100 million ($124.14 million) annually, lacks clear guidelines on how it will be distributed.<\/p>\n

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