Tax and regulatory changes have allowed for the explosive growth in the use of fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in UK betting shops over the past decade. But as FOBTs continue to cause some degree of concern to both the Gambling Commission and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport - based on a growing body of evidence that the machines may prove particularly attractive to problem gamblers – certain question marks remain over their future.

Many observers were surprised that the prevalence study published on Wednesday found that just 6 percent of the UK adult population used the internet to gamble last year but the online industry is confident that its projected future growth will not lead to an increase in gambling addiction.

To the surprise of many, the much-awaited report noted there has been no increase in problem gambling in the UK since 1999. Although further research is called for, the news will be of welcome relief to the industry and the Gambling Commission who feared that a widely-anticipated increase would come to undermine the implementation of the 2005 Gambling Act.

One in ten UK adults turn to gambling to battle personal debts in the recession and less than half believe that gambling is conducted fairly, seperate surveys by Credit Action and the Gambling Commission have found.

Gordon Brown’s statement yesterday sank any prospect of a UK-based Las Vegas-style casino in the immediate future. The news is a further blow to an industry already anxious about the repercussions of the upcoming Gambling Commission prevalence study.

The UK government is likely to turn to increased taxation and the introduction of playing limits on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) should evidence emerge of increased problem gambling, according to analysts at JP Morgan. Fearing the consequences for UK bookmakers, the investment bank instead recommends diversified European lottery companies including Lottomatica and Intralot.

“Gambling advertising will produce more gamblers which will in turn produce more problem gamblers, despite protestations to the contrary,” Gamcare Chairman Anthony Jennens declared yesterday. His statement, coming two days before the Act goes into effect, is one of very few pronouncements by Gamcare on the subject of the new laws, which will extend to the advertising of gambling from September 1.

Nearly one in ten of the UK population made a bet either online, via mobile or via interactive TV last year, but much of this rise was due to increased levels of participation in the online National Lottery, according to the most recent data from the Gambling Commission. Meanwhile, further advice regarding the compilation of the next British Gambling Prevalence Study has also been published.

Improved awareness of gambling addiction among health officials, a national helpline, and additional research into fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) should be priorities for the Gambling Commission’s problem gambling strategy, according to a governmental advisory board.

The spike in gambling addiction that critics contend accompanies the opening of new casinos may, at most, be only a temporary phenomenon, new studies suggest. This research, in turn, could give casino companies a powerful counter argument as they push to expand their reach into US states that have banned Las Vegas-style gambling.