GAMBLING is increasing in the UK, with almost three-quarters of the adult population taking part in some form in the past year, a survey has found.
The report from the Gambling Commission found that 73% of the adult population gambled in some form or another – a return to the 1999 level of 72% and an increase since the last survey in 2007 of 68%.
The survey also suggests an increase in the number of problem gamblers at 0.9% of the population – or 451,000 people – up from the 0.6% recorded in 2007 and 1999.
The survey revealed 59% of adults bought National Lottery tickets in 2010, making it the most popular gambling activity – a slight increase from the 57% recorded in 2007 but lower than the 1999 rate of 65%. The football pool was the only gambling activity to dip significantly in popularity, down to 4% from 9% in 1999.
Overall, 14% of adults used the internet to gamble in the past year.
