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'Surprise' over gambling figures 'Surprise' over gambling figures
(40 minutes later)
The internet and other new forms of gambling have not led to an increase in people having a flutter since 1999, a Gambling Commission study has found.The internet and other new forms of gambling have not led to an increase in people having a flutter since 1999, a Gambling Commission study has found.
In fact, due to a drop in the National Lottery sales, the numbers of people gambling fell from 72% in 1999 to 68%.In fact, due to a drop in the National Lottery sales, the numbers of people gambling fell from 72% in 1999 to 68%.
Commission chairman Peter Dean said more than 99% of adults who gambled did so harmlessly but there were still 250,000 "problem gamblers" in Britain.Commission chairman Peter Dean said more than 99% of adults who gambled did so harmlessly but there were still 250,000 "problem gamblers" in Britain.
The findings are expected to influence Gordon Brown's review of super-casinos. The government said it remained committed to tackling problem gambling.
The Gambling Prevalence Study questioned 9,003 people between September 2006 and March 2007 about 17 types of gambling - from scratch cards to casinos.The Gambling Prevalence Study questioned 9,003 people between September 2006 and March 2007 about 17 types of gambling - from scratch cards to casinos.
'Largely unchanged' 'No increase'
It looked at the popularity of different types of gambling, attitudes to gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling and followed a similar study in 1999.It looked at the popularity of different types of gambling, attitudes to gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling and followed a similar study in 1999.
Mr Dean said he was "surprised" by the findings as they had been expecting an increase in the number of people taking part in gambling - and the amount of problem gambling. Mr Dean said he was surprised by the findings as they had been expecting an increase in the number of people taking part in gambling - and the amount of problem gambling.
Since 1999 there have been changes in legislation and an increase in the types of gambling available - such as internet poker sites and fixed odds betting terminals. "It was something of a surprise, and a relief too," he told the BBC.
WHO GAMBLES ON WHAT National Lottery - 57%Scratch cards - 20%Horse races - 17%Slot machines - 14% WHO GAMBLES ON WHAT National Lottery draw - 57%Scratch cards - 20%Horse races - 17%Slot machines - 14%Other lottery tickets - 12%Private betting - 10%
But Mr Dean said problem gambling was "largely unchanged" from 1999 - although concerns remained about the 250,000 people whose lives were harmed by gambling. "There have been more forms of gambling available in the intervening years - fixed odds betting terminals in betting shops, online gambling and so forth and the overall figures for online gambling are not up.
The National Lottery remained the most popular form of gambling, but the amount of people taking part had dropped from 65% in 1999 to 57% in 2007, the surveys suggest. "There are a significant number of people who do gamble online, we've been tracking those, but as I say the overall result is there is no increase at all in problem gambling since the last survey."
The National Lottery remained the most popular form of gambling, but the amount of people taking part had dropped from 65% in 1999 to 57% in 2007, the survey suggests.
Betting terminals
Participation in all other types of gambling, excluding the lottery, had risen from 46% in 1999 to 48%.Participation in all other types of gambling, excluding the lottery, had risen from 46% in 1999 to 48%.
'Valuable benchmark' Only 6% of those questioned had used the internet to gamble in the repvious year, 3% had used fixed odds betting terminals and 4% gambled in a casino.
Only 3% of those questioned gambled online, 3% used fixed odds betting terminals and 4% gambled in a casino. Problem gambling, measured using two systems, remained at the same level as in 1999 - 0.6% - equivalent to about 250,000 people.
Problem gambling, measured using two systems, remained at the same level as in 1999 - 0.6%. There are very severe problem gamblers whose tragic situation is quite as grave as any other addiction Prof Peter CollinsCentre for Study of Gambling
Mr Dean said: "We welcome this report, it provides us a valuable benchmark for the future. This is higher than in Norway, but similar to Canada and New Zealand and lower than Australia and the US.
"It indicates that problem gambling has largely been unchanged since 1999, but we remain concerned about the upwards of a quarter of a million people whose lives, and those of their families, are harmed by gambling." Professor Peter Collins, director of the Centre for the Study of Gambling, said he would like to see the number of problem gamblers being "a good deal lower", but said measuring them was an "inexact science".
Super-casinos "There are very severe problem gamblers whose tragic situation is quite as grave as any other addiction, but there are people with much less serious problems," he said.
He said the findings would be useful to measure the effects of the new Gambling Act, which came into force on 1 September, and brought casinos, bookmakers and online betting under one regulatory body. "I think one of the most striking things about these figures is that they show that, for the vast majority of people, gambling is simply a harmless and normal part of the entertainment business."
Gambling Act
The report will be used as a "baseline" to measure the effects of the new Gambling Act, which came into force on 1 September, and brought casinos, bookmakers and online betting under one regulatory body.
It also made it easier to advertise casinos and online gambling sites on the television.It also made it easier to advertise casinos and online gambling sites on the television.
Critics say it could increase gambling addiction but ministers say the new laws offer better controls and protection for children and vulnerable gamblers.Critics say it could increase gambling addiction but ministers say the new laws offer better controls and protection for children and vulnerable gamblers.
While the results show that problem gambling still only affects a small minority of people, it remains a serious issue Gerry SutcliffeDCMS
The government said the report's findings were not "grounds for complacency" and it remained focused on protecting children and vulnerable people.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said a review will be carried out into the funding of gambling research, treatment and public education - currently supported on a voluntary basis by the gambling industry.
DCMS Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "While the results show that problem gambling still only affects a small minority of people, it remains a serious issue, and one which must be addressed.
"The gambling industry has a responsibility to make the right level of funding available to treat those who are harmed by its products."
In July Mr Brown said the government's plan to use super-casinos to regenerate run-down areas would be reviewed - angering business leaders in Manchester, which had won the bid to host the first one.In July Mr Brown said the government's plan to use super-casinos to regenerate run-down areas would be reviewed - angering business leaders in Manchester, which had won the bid to host the first one.
The Gambling Commission, which carried out the survey, said it was not meant to measure the impact of regional "super" casinos - this would be carried out in separate research to be commissioned by the government.The Gambling Commission, which carried out the survey, said it was not meant to measure the impact of regional "super" casinos - this would be carried out in separate research to be commissioned by the government.
Mr Brown announced the review in one of his first prime minister's questions, saying the issue would be "subject to reflection" over the summer.