Churches call for Government action after rise in gamblers and problem gamblers
Channel: Ruth Gledhill
Date: 2011-02-16

Churches called for urgent Government action after new research showed rises in numbers of gamblers and problem gamblers. Church leaders linked the increases to the recession and to availability online as the report showed that narly three-quarters of adults in the UK engaged in gambling in 2010. The Gambling Commission surveyed 7,756 people and found the amount of betting has increased to levels last seen in the late 1990s. The study showed increases in the overall number of people gambling, the number of people classed as "problem gamblers" and in women gamblers. The report, which is commissioned every three years, showed that in 2007, 68 percent of people gambled, compared to 73 percent in 2010. Ruth Gledhill reports from The Times on the press conference where the Gambling Commission launched the report. More details at thetimes.co.uk/articlesoffaith