Gambling increases due to recession
28 Jan 2009
"Anecdotal evidence suggests that bookie's takings are up despite many businesses reporting a serious downturn in trade.
"This could add to the general trend which indicates problem gambling is on the rise.
"Since the UK gambling laws were relaxed in 2005, gambling charity Gamcare has reported a sharp increase in the number of callers asking for help with gambling problems.
"...There are fears the credit crunch could increase the figures still further as more people turn to desperate measures to try to solve their financial worries.
"...A Gamcare spokesman said: "We can't say either way whether there is a link [between the recession and an increase in gambling] because the data is not available..."