A survey by the Gambling Commission showed that the rate of problem gambling for the year to September 2021 was 0.3 per cent – down from 0.6 per cent the previous year.

The study also showed that the rate of those gamblers classed as being at ‘moderate risk’ of harm fell from 1.2 per cent to 0.7 per cent in the same time frame.

The fall in rates suggests that the BGC’s work since 2019 on promoting safer gambling is having an impact.

BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said:

“Since being established in 2019, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards in the regulated betting and gaming industry and promote safer gambling.

“Our initiatives have included using advertising to promote safer gambling tools like deposit limits and time-outs, investing more in research and treatment, funding an education programme provided by GamCare and YGAM, implementing the credit card ban and introducing tough new rules on VIP schemes and changes game design, as well as using technology to intervene with customers online.

“One problem gambler is one too many, however, and we are determined to keep up the momentum in the months and years ahead.

“There will always be those in the anti-gambling lobby who take a prohibitionist approach. But, in contrast, the Government has rightly and consistently said it will adopt an ‘evidence-led’ approach to its Gambling Review. We always need to do more to provide greater protection to the tiny minority of people who are vulnerable to problem gambling, whilst recognising that the overwhelming majority of millions of people who enjoy a flutter do so safely and responsibly.

“As we continue to make progress on problem gambling and drive ever higher standards on safer gambling in the regulated sector, it’s vital we don’t do anything that drives people to the unsafe, unregulated black market online, which has none of the protections or safer gambling interventions that we see with licensed operators”