Overall participation, meanwhile, has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, climbing to 44% for the year to September 2022, just shy of the 47% for the same period in 2019.

According to the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT), which analysed the Commission’s data, the 25-34-year-old age group reported the most significant increase in overall gambling.

In the year to September 2022, 43% of 25-34 year olds had gambled at some point in the past four weeks, up from 38% for the comparative period in 2021.

However, the 35-44 age bracket experienced the highest rise in online gambling participation, up from 29% to 32%.

But across all age groups, online gambling participation rose, said UKAT, excluding the 65+ bracket, which instead reported a decrease from 19% to 17%.

UKAT also highlighted an increase in problem gambling rates. For example, among those aged 16-24, 1.4% were classed as “problematic gamblers” – up from 0.4% in 2021.

Consequently, Nuno Albuquerque, Consultant Treatment Lead at UKAT, urged the Government to publish the long-awaited gambling White Paper as soon as possible.  

“Online gambling is on the rise yet again and we’re still waiting for the Government’s 2005 Gambling Act reform White Paper – the situation is becoming dangerous,” he said.

“Yes there has been political turmoil but we really need to see the outcomes to this long-awaited reform, so that we can better protect those who gamble.”