UK government puts gambling issues at centre of first Men’s Health Strategy
The Department of Health and Social Care’s new strategy will assign funds for prevention programmes as part of the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan.
UK.- The government’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched the first UK Men’s Health Strategy, and it’s putting a focus on the impact of problem gambling on men. The approach will see the creation of a coordinated prevention model at national, regional and local levels.
The strategy frames gambling harm as a public health concern that is “disproportionately experienced by men”. Younger men are seen as particularly vulnerable due to higher rates of online casino play.
The move follows calls made by the Health and Social Care Select Committee, which had called for an urgent review of the 2005 Gambling Act to embed public health considerations in legislation. The government has ruled out another review of legislation following the White Paper published in April 2023, but under secretary Wes Streeting has adopted some of the committee’s proposals.
The new strategy adds gambling harm prevention to the NHS’s 10-Year Health Plan alongside alcohol, drugs, tobacco and vaping. The plan includes support for local authorities and the voluntary sector, investment in digital tools and research to build evidence to identify best practices.
Funding for voluntary organisations
Voluntary organisations will receive grants to deliver prevention programmes targeting men aged 25–34, across both white British and ethnic minority groups from April 2026. The new strategy also includes plans to enhance data collection and delivery of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) programme to address evidence gaps around gambling harm.
The new funding will be separate from that delivered via the new UK gambling levy introduced this year, the collection of which began on September 1.
Greg Fell, president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: “We are pleased to see this new strategy emphasises preventing the many avoidable illnesses and diseases – including a number of cancers and respiratory and mental health conditions – that are driven by smoking, drinking and gambling.”
James Grimes, director of Chapter One at Gambling with Lives, also welcomed the move. He said. “The release of this strategy is very welcome, especially in its recognition of the health harms caused by gambling – harms felt by countless men across the country.”
Following the introduction of the new gambling levy, NHS England has already replaced GambleAware as the commissioner of education and treatment projects. GambleAware itself is to wind down by March 2026. Further changes are expected as the government plans to abolish NHS England as part of its restructuring of the NHS.
