More than two million people are addicted to gambling or at risk of developing a problem, regulators have warned.
A huge expansion in online betting sites has left almost 4 per cent of the population ‘at risk’ said the Gambling Commission.
It added that the number with the most severe problems with betting has risen to more than 400,000.
Users of fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) are among the most likely to have a problem, said the official regulator.
A huge expansion in online betting sites has left almost 4 per cent of the population ‘at risk’ said the Gambling Commission
Its findings will increase pressure on ministers to take action against the machines, described as the crack cocaine of gambling, by slashing the maximum stake from £100 to £2.
A long-planned review of FOBTs and gambling adverts has been delayed until the autumn amid a Whitehall row. The Department for Culture wants a lower stake for the UK’s 34,000 terminals but the Treasury fears lower tax takings.
The Commission said the types of betting most likely to attract addicts are online gaming, poker in pubs and clubs, and machines in bookmakers like FOBTs.
It found that almost half of those who played on machines in bookmakers had a gambling problem. Overall, said the report, 0.8 per cent of adults can be classed as having a gambling problem, equating to more than 400,000 people.
But 3.9 per cent of the population can be regarded as ‘at-risk’, meaning more than 2million people are addicted to gambling or at risk of developing a problem.
Men were more likely to be an at-risk gambler: 6 per cent compared to 1.9 per cent of women.
A long-planned review of FOBTs (pictured) and gambling adverts has been delayed until the autumn amid a Whitehall row
Younger people were also much more likely to be at risk. The commission said just over 7 per cent of those aged 16 to 34 were in danger of becoming addicted.
This was three times as high as those aged between 45 and 64. Men aged between 16 and 24 run the highest risk: 11 per cent compared to 3 per cent of women.
Tim Miller, executive director of the Gambling Commission, said: ‘We have a clear commitment to make gambling fairer and safer, and these figures show this is a significant challenge. The pace of change simply hasn’t been fast enough – more needs to be done to address problem gambling.’
Just over half of those gambling online were classed as having a problem or at risk. The figure for people using machines in bookmakers was 43.2 per cent. Campaigners have urged ministers to crack down on FOBTs, which allow punters to bet £100 every 20 seconds, and limit the spread of gambling adverts on television.
A spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling said: ‘The increased rate of problematic gambling associated with FOBTs should alarm policymakers.’
Carolyn Harris, Labour MP for Swansea East, told The Guardian: ‘This should be a wake-up call: 43 per cent of FOBT users are problem or at-risk gamblers so there can be absolutely no excuse. The Government must recommend a reduction to £2 a spin to limit harm and addiction.’
Last year gamblers lost £13.8billion, including £1.8billion on FOBTs which make up more than half of the revenue of bookmakers.
The Association of British Bookmakers has denied that FOBTs are linked to problem gambling.
A Culture Department spokesman said: ‘We expect the gambling sector to protect players, help people stay in control and ensure they know where they can get help. But there is clearly more work needed.’