Matthew Gaskell criticised the Government’s plans to overhaul gambling laws, which were set out in a white paper this week, claiming the refusal to introduce new restrictions on advertising “represents a major failure”.

In a statement, the psychologist said these adverts are “a common threat” to the recovery of his patients who are trying to overcome addiction at the specialist clinic in Leeds, and a “gateway” for others.

“The Government seems to struggle to understand that gambling harm and addiction is not the product of a minority of so-called flawed, weak, vulnerable people,” he said. “The industry is creating addiction and its business model appears to be reliant on those harmed and addicted.”