The problem gambling rate for adults in the UK fell to 0.2 per cent for the year to December according to the latest figures released by the Gambling Commission.

The news was welcomed by the Betting and Gaming Council, which called on ministers to take note as it finalises the details of the government’s long-delayed gambling white paper.

A sample of 4,001 adults aged 16 and over were interviewed by telephone in March, June, September and December 2022 to produce the “statistically stable” problem gambling figure, which was down from 0.3 per cent. The commission said the low risk rate was also statistically stable at 1.7 per cent, although there had been an increase in the moderate risk rate to 1.3 per cent from 0.8 per cent.