Independent, The (London): LETTER: Social consequences of excessive gambling

Sir: The suggestion in your leader (20 October) that the liberalisation of the gambling laws in the 1960s did not result in an increase in excessive gambling is incorrect. In a research study at that time (British Journal of Addiction 1970; 64: 419-427), I found a definite association between the increased availability and the onset of pathological gambling. This was in spite of the fact that the gambling facilities were then provided on the basis of unstimulated demand.

What is now proposed is fundamentally different. The Government, lobbied by promoters, has chosen to ignore well-recognised psychological and physiological concomitants of gambling, which affect all of us and result in faulty decision-making, often leading to irrational behaviour.

This is particularly so when the turnover is rapid, as in gaming. The latter is therefore different from other types of commercial transaction. Yet, now it is being proposed that participation will be very actively stimulated, with the provision of both hard and soft gambling under the same roof. Inevitably, gambling will become more impulsive and result in the greater chasing of losses.

This will occur in what the promoters choose to term "socially responsible gambling", involving warnings drawing attention to the dangers of excess and advice to "problem gamblers" to seek "treatment". However, the incentives offered to go on gambling will be greater.

While the creation of a Gambling Commission is desirable, it will inevitably have to operate within the setting of the increased facilities and the promotion permitted by this legislation. Therefore, the implication that this will "not harm others" indicates a disregard of the disastrous social consequences of excessive gambling.

Dr E MORAN

Adviser on gambling,

The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Enfield, Middlesex