Gambling and public health: we need policy action to prevent harm

Prevention of harms related to gambling requires investment in population based approaches, say Heather Wardle and colleagues ### Key messages In 2017 the gambling regulator for Great Britain, the Gambling Commission, described problem gambling as a public health concern (box 1)3 and emphasised the need to increase protection from harm.4 In 2018 the Faculty of Public Health released a position paper arguing for the introduction of harm prevention measures, underpinned by legislation, targeted at the whole population.5 The Labour Party recently shared plans for a radical overhaul of legislation to reduce the harms associated with “Britain’s hidden epidemic.”6 Box 1 ### Gambling behaviour in Great Britain12RETURN TO TEXT