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The United Kingdom’s Parliament recently debated the link between gambling addiction and sentencing, considering a new clause that would introduce a “gambling treatment requirement” for offenders.
As part of a community order, the proposal states that courts could require offenders to seek treatment for gambling addiction through an National Health Service specialist service, which is a potential shift toward recognizing gambling disorder as a mental health issue within the criminal justice system.
The submission made by members of parliament led to the discussion around sentencing reform in general, with the topic of gambling and the NHS, or a professional clinic, mentioned to support those with an agreed condition.
UK Parliament discusses gambling addiction reform
The topic “gambling treatment requirement” was centered upon in relation to an order that has been decided through a judicial process. An individual who receives a community order through this process would, as part of the proposed amendments, need to seek clinical support.
“This new clause would introduce a new gambling treatment requirement, requiring an offender to seek NHS gambling addiction treatment as part of a community order,” read the official submission as part of Section 26.
The submission, which was discussed but not approved, put an onus on the UK government to find solutions to support those who would be termed as having a gambling addiction.
There would be pressure on the “Government to report to Parliament on how it will improve support for offenders with gambling addictions and ensure that gambling disorder is recognised as a mental health condition by sentencing court.”
The debate also calls for the Secretary of State to publish a report within six months of the Act passing, explaining how courts will handle gambling disorder as a mental health issue. The report would need to cover access to clinical advice and treatment for offenders, both in prison and in the community. It could be an early move toward linking criminal behavior more directly with mental health and treatment.
MPs highlight gambling issues and treatment
Dr. Alison Gardner, Labor representative from Stoke on Trent, made mention of her own “flutter” with gambling, but then discussed the pitfalls of gambling addiction and its wider impact.
She said, “Problem gambling is associated with not only acquisitive crimes, but street violence, domestic abuse and neglect. That, of course, leads to many harms for the person themselves, their families and the victims of their crimes.”
Assistant Whip and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Jake Richards, acknowledged Dr. Gardner’s proposals on gambling treatment but disagreed that they should be mandatory, citing pressures on current government systems.
“As I have discussed with her (D. Gardner), there is the issue of the scale of demand and the current lack of any reliable data on how this would look in the criminal justice system.”
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The Pennsylvania Gambling and Control Board (The Board) has announced fines of $72,000 have been issued as a result of three incident reports.
The enforcement action involves two casino locations in the Keystone State and one video gaming terminal (VGT) that were flagged by the Boards’ Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC).
Pennsylvania Gambling Board issues fines
In a statement, the Board highlighted the VGT incident was located in Clinton County, under the licensee “Vasas, Inc. d/b/a Lucky Seven Travel Plaza in Lock Haven.”

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved three consent agreements today, totaling $72,000 in fines involving violations at a Video Gaming Terminal establishment and two casinos.
The Board also placed 11 individuals on its various Involuntary Exclusion Lists, prohibiting… pic.twitter.com/cDBIwQffHA
— Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (@PAGamingControl) October 22, 2025

The owners of the location would each be fined $2,500, with $45,000 being aimed at the license to operate the VGT.
The root cause, according to the OEC was a failure to have trained and “credentialed” employees on duty and that individuals under the age of 21 were able to access the VGT, with two separate occasions where minors accessed these terminals.
The OEC also informed the Board of two separate incidents at entertainment locations, resulting in consent agreements and fines.
Meanwhile, $10,000 in fines was issued to the operator Stadium Casino RE, LLC, of Live! Casino and Hotel Philadelphia, for allowing a deck of cards, which the OEC determined was “compromised.”
Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, LLC was fined $12,000 for allowing an individual who was excluded access to the table environment and floor to gamble at Hollywood Casino York.
Individuals face sanction by PA Board
The “Involuntary Exclusion List” is maintained by the board and the recent fines were followed by eleven additions to this list. Three of the individuals left minors unattended in vehicles whilst they accessed casino locations.
Being added to the list means the person cannot wager in the state or use any terminals or locations to do so.
According to the report, they included “A male and a female patron who together left two children, ages 11 and 12, in a vehicle in the parking lot of Hollywood Casino Morgantown,” and “A female patron who left three children, ages 2,6 and 12, in a vehicle in the parking lot of Hollywood Casino York.”
The Pennsylvania Gambling and Control Board is strict in its enforcement of any incidents that involve minors as part of the “Don’t Gamble With Kids” campaign that highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended at these locations.
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