European doctors’ warning on gambling
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7 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
Faced with the rapid rise of gambling, particularly online, European doctors are sounding the alarm. They highlight a profound transformation of the sector and are calling for an urgent response from the authorities.
Growing concern at the heart of Europe
Across Europe, doctors are concerned about the scale of gambling. What was once seen as mere entertainment is now considered a serious threat to public health. The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), an organisation representing the continent’s practitioners, is calling on policymakers to act swiftly in the face of what they describe as a rapidly escalating crisis.
According to European doctors, the problem lies not only in gambling itself, but in how it has changed, particularly with the rise of digital technology. Online platforms accessible around the clock, aggressive marketing strategies and increasingly sophisticated game mechanics have transformed how people gamble.
The president of the CPME, Dr Ole Johan Bakke, sums up this development with gravity:
“Gambling is no longer merely a form of entertainment. It is a powerful commercial force that has a negative impact on public health. Without decisive government action, the harm caused will continue to grow, particularly amongst vulnerable groups.”
Consequences that go beyond the individual
The effects of gambling are not limited to the gamblers themselves. The consequences are manifold and affect society as a whole.
Problem gambling behaviours are linked to situations of excessive debt, mental health issues and family breakdowns. In the most serious cases, they can even increase the risk of suicide.
For the CPME, viewing gambling solely as a personal responsibility amounts to ignoring the scale of the social harm it causes.
Young people particularly at risk
Among the major concerns, the protection of young people is a central issue. Doctors are observing increasing exposure of minors and young adults to gambling. There are numerous channels of dissemination: social media, sporting events, influencers…
Professor Raymond Walley, CPME treasurer, warns against this situation:
“We must put an end to advertising, marketing, promotion and sponsorship linked to gambling. We also need a harmonised and mandatory age verification system across the European Union.”
The gambling industry invests heavily in promoting its products, often targeting broad, and even vulnerable, audiences. Sports sponsorship, in particular, helps to normalise gambling by associating it with popular and highly regarded activities. Influencers, for their part, help to promote an attractive and sometimes misleading image.
Towards a coordinated response at European level
Beyond these observations, the CPME is calling for a fundamental overhaul of public policy. The organisation believes that current national approaches are insufficient in the face of a cross-border phenomenon. Doctors are calling for greater coordination at European Union level.
Among the measures mentioned are tighter controls on online platforms, the regulation of gambling mechanisms and the introduction of mandatory age verification systems.
The doctors also stress the need to invest in prevention, research and treatment. Better understanding the mechanisms of addiction, developing early detection tools and offering tailored support are all seen as essential measures.
In issuing this appeal, European doctors are calling directly on political leaders. For them, inaction is no longer an option. The stakes are health-related, social and economic.