More than half of adults in the UK now gamble, NHS survey shows

The head of the NHS said Monday too many people were falling victim to “aggressive” tactics by online gambling firms, as the Tories pledged action to treat addiction.

Experts said the Health Survey of England, which polls 10,000 adults and children on their lifestyles, shows smartphone betting holding an increasing grip on younger generations. 

In total, 29 percent of men aged 25 to 34 reported having participated in online gambling in the previous 12 months, compared with four percent of those aged 65 and over. 

Across all ages, 15 percent of men had participated in online gambling in the previous 12 months, compared with 4 percent of women.

And men aged 16 to 24 were the most likely to be classed as problem gamblers, with rates of 1.9 percent, compared with 0.4 percent of the general population.

The survey found that in total, 53 percent of adults had participated in some form of gambling activity during the previous 12 months. When the National Lottery is excluded, the figures show 39 percent of adults gambling - including 56 percent of men aged between 25 and 34, the Telegraph reports.

NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said: “These new statistics are a stark reminder of how common gambling is in our society, and how easy it is to become addicted, particularly with the aggressive push into online gambling.”

He said the health service was expanding its services to treat gambling addiction, but urged gambling firms to do more to prevent such problems.

“It is high time that all these firms who spend many millions on marketing and advertising step up to the plate and take their responsibilities seriously,” said Mr Stevens, who has previously called for such firms to contribute towards treatment services for addiction. 

Matt Zarb-Cousin, from the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said mobile gambling was fuelling concerning levels of addiction in younger people. 

He said “Many people enjoy an occasional flutter on the Grand National or the Lottery but no gambling is entirely risk-free.

“The real risk is with the accessibility of online and mobile gambling, which is very addictive and provides unlimited stakes and prizes.

“Young men are the worst affected by the gambling epidemic and these figures are extremely concerning.”

He called for action to limit the prizes available, and reduce exposure to advertisements for online gambling. 

“These figures should act as a wake-up call to the Government to regulate the stakes and prizes online. They also need to tackle advertising to reduce the visibility of gambling advertisements, which serve to normalize it and have a really negative impact on children growing up.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "I have seen first-hand the devastating impact of gambling-related harm. I have taken action on fixed-odds betting terminals, and we are committed to a new strategy to tackle addictions including upgrading the 2005 Gambling Act for the digital age.

"We are determined to do whatever we can to tackle gambling-related harm and a Conservative majority government will introduce twelve new gambling clinics across the country to help people affected get the support they need."