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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rob Davies

Landmark study shows 1.4m Britons have a gambling problem

A lone gambler in a slot machine parlour
The Gambling Commission’s survey identified slot machines as a driver of betting addiction. Photograph: Kumar Sriskandan/Alamy

An estimated 1.4 million adults in Britain have a gambling problem, according to landmark figures released days after the chancellor hinted at plans to increase taxes on the £11.5bn betting and gaming industry.

The Gambling Commission’s annual survey found that 2.7% of adults scored 8 or above on the problem gambling severity index, a widely accepted measure analysing negative consequences of betting.

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