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.

A new Harvard University study finds that gambling addiction may not be as intractable a problem as long thought, with recovery easier than previously believed. The study could bolster casino companies as they seek to fend off concerns about the industry’s “social costs’’ amid expansion into new markets across the US.

As the player protection policies of both state-owned and private operators come under greater scrutiny from lawyers, regulators and politicians, social scientists are also beginning to conduct research in the field. The debate centres on whether science can contribute to responsible gaming best practice and the broader political consequences of research within the European Union.

As a growing number of US states consider legalising casinos, the gaming industry is firing back against its critics. A study sponsored by the industry’s main trade group argues that the so-called ‘social costs’ of gaming expansion often cited by its foes are, in fact, difficult to quantify and often exaggerated.

A Harvard Medical School study into the habits of thousands of Bwin customers found that 5 percent of online casino players demonstrated signs of problematic gambling behaviour, compared with just 1 percent of sports bettors in a previous study. Bwin says the findings will assist in the launching of an automated warning system over the coming months, but they may also face political repercussions in a pan-European context.

Racetrack casinos are now driving the expansion of gambling in the US, outpacing their more glamorous casino counterparts when it comes to new growth, a newly released study finds.

At least a dozen states across the US are weighing multibillion-dollar sales or leases of their lotteries in a growing trend toward privatisation. Moreover, that number may grow, with a number of other states either quietly exploring the option or getting pitched on the benefits of a sale by Wall Street bankers but public opinion is ambivalent at best.

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.

A Harvard Medical School study has found that 5 percent of poker players on the Bwin.com website displayed possible signs of problematic gambling behaviour – a similar proportion to that found among Bwin’s online casino customers, but significantly higher than among Bwin’s sports betting players.

Quebec's finance minister has approved Loto-Québec's plans for offering online gambling despite calls by public health officials to review the project to ensure it will not lead to a major increase in gambling participation.