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Gambling Boom in Britain

UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the U.K. Times: " Britons are the biggest gamblers in Europe. Over the past three years, there has been a fivefold increase in betting, with turnover rising from £7.6 billion (US$13.6 billion) in 2001 to a record £39.4 billion (US$70.76 billion)in the 12 months to September. Gambling in all forms amounted to £63.8 billion. Six out of ten adults now stake an average of £50 every month, including on the National Lottery; some 350,000 Britons are classified as "problem gamblers".

"…The explosion in gambling follows Gordon Brown's decision in 2001 to replace the betting tax with a gross profits tax on bookmakers, and comes as Camelot is about to tap into the gaming instinct by launching a mobile phone lottery.

"The rise has also been fuelled by the massive increase in internet betting, especially by women, who now account for 64 per cent of all online gambling. Most forms of traditional gambling can now take place in cyberspace, as well as bets on almost every conceivable sport, activity and human endeavor…"

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