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by Change | 19 Mar 2009

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An increasing number of people in the UK are suffering from gambling addictions, it has been claimed.

More and more Britons are suffering from gambling addictions, according to figures released by the Conservative party.

Based on Gambling Commission research, the Tories have estimated that gambling addictions in the UK are soaring thanks in large part to the accessibility of online gambling sites.

Criticising ministers for failing to tackle the problem of overseas gambling websites accessed by people in the UK, the Conservatives have suggested that as many as 17,760 people have picked up a gambling addiction since advertising for gambling was first permitted in 2007.

Nearly a quarter of a million more people gambled online last year since the relaxation of the advertising rules and there is growing concern that, with more people now gambling online, there could be a significant number of people needing addiction treatment.

"With each year that passes more people are getting addicted to these sites which offer little consumer protection," shadow gambling minister Tobias Ellwood told the Daily Telegraph.

gambling addiction is already a major problem in the US, where a week-long programme of events was held recently in a bid to promote the availability of rehab clinics and other addiction treatment that can be provided to people with gambling problems.

It has been suggested that a growing number of people will seek out rehab clinics in the future to tackle their problem as the global recession results in more people turning to gambling in an effort to get themselves out of debt.

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