The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for gambling to be recognised as an addiction which requires treatment on the NHS.

In its hard-hitting report, Gambling Addiction and its Treatment, the association raises concern over the increase in the numbers of problem gamblers and wants the government to recognise the condition alongside alcohol abuse and drug misuse.

It also draws attention to the amount of young people who gamble and calls for a review on whether the age limit to use slot machines should be increased to 18.

It also says the extra financial burden on the health services caused by gambling addiction should be paid for partly by the gaming industry.

Vivienne Nathanson, BMA’s head of science and ethics, said: “The BMA is calling for the gaming industry to pay at least £10m per annum via the Responsibility in Gambling Trust to fund research, prevention and intervention programmes relating to gambling addiction.”

The call come as the UK prepares to implement the new gaming laws, which will allow casinos to advertise on the television for the first time as well as admit people without them applying for membership 24 hours in advance.

The BMA’s announcement also coincided with an allegedly leaked police report, which expressed similar concerns about problem gambling, and comes ahead of the decision this month on the location of Britain’s first Las Vegas-style supercasino.