Gambling addiction affecting 1.3 million
Wednesday 28th January, 2009
The latest research from the NHS suggests that over one million people in England have a gambling addiction.
The survey of more than 8,000 people discovered over 3% of participants were problem gamblers and critics have pointed toward the Government’s new relaxed gambling laws as the major cause.
With more casinos, gambling websites and lure of huge jackpots, 66% of adults surveyed had spent money on gambling.
Men were found to be the most likely to gamble with 7 out of 10 claiming to have gambled while just 6 out of 10 women gambled.
The main age group of gamblers (75%) among men was the 25-34 year-olds while the highest rate of gambling women were aged 55-64.
More affluent men were the most likely to gamble while women at the lower end of the income scale were more likely to have a bet. Divorced men were also found to gamble more than those who were married.
For the problem gamblers, the highest rates among men were aged 16-24 while for women it was those aged 65-74.
The report also said that three quarters of those with a gambling addiction were not receiving any support or treatment for mental or emotional problems.
These figures come as Ministers this month announced the jackpot on fruit machines was to double to £70. The industry currently makes around £91 billion every year.
There are officially over 280,000 gambling addicts in England owing on average about £17,500. People seeking help for gambling addiction has increased by 25% since the Government eased gambling laws.
Addictions such as gambling can be overcome with complementary and alternative medicine therapy techniques.
Learn more about addiction and the therapies that can help here
