Amanda Pritchard, boss of NHS England, speaks out against the dangers of gambling as she reports more people than ever are seeking help for their addictions.

A record number of patients were referred last year, with 1,389 admitting to problem gambling. This is up from 1,013 in the previous 12 months and 775 just two years ago.

Specialist NHS clinics exist across the country in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford. Seven new clinics have been announced for Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Blackpool and Sheffield.

The NHS hopes to treat up to 3,000 patients a year across the 15 clinics, through cognitive behavioural therapy, family therapy, support groups and aftercare.

The clinics will be staffed by psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and peer support workers. All of whom will offer support to patients as well as their family members, partners and carers.

Amanda Pritchard says: "Ahead of the NHS's 75th birthday on Wednesday, this expansion shows the NHS once again adapting to the new healthcare needs that have emerged over the last 75 years,"

She continues: "In 1948 when the NHS was founded, you had to go to a bookies to place a bet, but now people can gamble on their phone at the touch of a button and everyone, young and old, is bombarded with adverts encouraging them to take part.

"Record numbers of people are coming to the NHS for help to treat their gambling addiction, a cruel disease which has the power to destroy people's lives, with referrals up by more than a third compared to last year.

"As it has done since 1948, the NHS is responding at speed and rolling out seven new gambling harms clinics across England, so that even more people can be supported by the NHS in their time of need."

The timely announcement comes after a coroner ruled a gambling disorder contributed to the death of a father of two, Luke Ashton, who died of suicide aged 40 in April last year.

The coroner in charge of a three-day inquest into Mr Ashton’s death said that Betfair could have done more to help him before he took his own life, after accumulating debts of £18,000 including thousands of pounds gambled on Betfair’s platforms.