More than two million people in Britain may be problem gamblers, research claims
There are calls for the Government to do more to tackle gambling addiction after the figures were revealed
MORE than two million people in Britain may be problem gamblers, research claims.
The figures have sparked calls for the Government to do more to tackle gambling addiction.
A report found 63 per cent of adults had gambled in the past year. Of those 1.4 per cent — 400,000 people — were chronic gamblers.
A further 6.4 per cent were deemed at-risk said the Gambling Commission regulatory body.
Among all those, more than a third gambled online.
Another 31 per cent used bookies’ betting machines. Lotteries and scratch cards were used by only six per cent.
The report also found unemployment was one of the biggest factors influencing gambling habits, with ten per cent of problem gamblers out of work.
Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller said: “We have a clear commitment to make gambling fairer and safer and these figures show that this is a significant challenge.
“Success will depend upon us, the industry, Government and others working together.
“The pace of change simply hasn’t been fast enough. More needs to be done.”
A Government report into fixed-odds betting terminals has been delayed until the autumn.
The machines allow punters to stake, and lose, £100 every 20 seconds. There have been calls to limit the stakes to £2.
