The “lazy thinking” behind the introduction of the RET Levy risks being “incredibly damaging” to problem gambling treatment in the UK.

These were the words of Regulus Partners’ Dan Waugh, who delivered a stark warning on the consequences of the NHS’s appointment as chief commissioner of problem gambling treatment to those in attendance at the Deal Me Out conference.

“I think it’s rather concerning, not just for the organisation in the [third sector] who may be worried about losing the funding, but also from the people that are meant to be in health,” he said. “The line is emerging from the NHS which is to say that if you have a gaming disorder, it’s nothing to do with you, it’s entirely down to addictive products.

“There’s a real concern that this ideology which some people in the NHS appear to be peddling will get forced on the rest of the treatment, that could have devastating consequences for the people that need to be helped here.”

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