Addicts struggling with mobile betting

The number of gambling addicts struggling with betting on mobile phones and tablets has raised, figures show.

The National Problem Gambling Clinic (NPGC) said while 24% of its patients struggled with mobile gambling in 2012-13, this rose to 63% in 2016-17.

Software companies are working on apps to block gambling sites from the phones of problem gamblers.

The Remote Gambling Association said it encouraged responsible gambling.

A total of 632 gambling addicts were referred to the NHS clinic in 2012-13. 

This rose to 778 in 2016-17.

Campaigner Tony Franklin, a recovering addict, would bet thousands of pounds from his mobile phone on casino apps.

"Once you get a gambling account, you can access it from your mobile, from your tablet, anywhere. 

There's no escape from it," he said.

"I was sat in a management meeting and I was gambling £1,000 a time on a roulette spin on one number."

Mr Franklin said the government needed to ensure companies check whether customers can afford their bets.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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