This isn’t about problem gambling, oh no. This is about casting a blanket of suspicion over the 98% of people who responsibly engage in this perfectly legal activity. But wait, the plot thickens. Apparently, if your doctor, in their newly appointed role as gambling inquisitor, deems you to have a “gambling addiction,” their first recommendation is… psychotherapy! And, well, if that doesn’t work, their main piece of resistance is to turn to Big Pharma and prescribe medication. Yes, you heard that right. They want to pump these so-called “addicts” full of the same meds used to treat opioid addiction. And the irony? These very same NICE folks that are mandating these gambling treatment services have absolutely zero connection to the betting industry. Zero! This stroke of genius forced GamStop, you know, the people actually trying to promote safer gambling, to ditch its standards because it might compromise their oh-so-important partnership with the National Health Service. So, in turn, the people who actually understand the industry and are actively working towards responsible gambling are being shunned, while the medical establishment is being hailed as the saviors? Blimey, what a mess! And what a no-brainer candidate for the APCW Wall of Shame. Welcome to the club, NICE! WALL OF SHAME National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) We’ve had some real jaw-dropping, mind-bending stories behind the inductees to the esteemed APCW Wall of Shame over the years, but this one, folks, may take the proverbial cake. Yes, once again, the pure, unadulterated idiocy emanating from one of our most-talked about markets is enough to make your eyeballs sweat. We’re talking about the U.K. and the latest gem to emerge from its bureaucratic bowels: the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, or as they coyly call themselves, NICE. Yeah, real smooth, guys. Real smooth. In its infinite wisdom, NICE has decided that the pressing issue plaguing the U.K. is the gambling habits of its residents! Apparently, the pinnacle of British healthcare now involves your neighborhood General Practitioner sticking their nose into whether you fancy a flutter on the ponies or enjoy the exhilarating ding-ding-ding of a slot machine. Because, you know, that’s exactly what primary care physicians are trained for. Forget about diagnosing actual illnesses; let’s grill patients about their recreational activities! NICE announced earlier this year that it wants doctors to ask about your gambling with the same gravitas as they inquire about your smoking and drinking. Let that sink in for a moment. So, casually enjoying a game of poker with your mates is now on par with chain-smoking 20 a day and downing a bottle of gin for breakfast? Are you kidding me?! GPWAtimes.org 68
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