People who use betting machines could be putting their domestic lives at risk, without realising they have a gambling addiction, new research has suggested.
Academics at Plymouth University's Drug and Alcohol Research Unit (DARU) warned those individuals who wagered money on casino-style machines in betting shops and online could also be affecting the lives of others, including close family members.
"Many of them may feel they have their gambling under control, but the fact remains they are addicted, and it could lead to potential problems at home or in other areas of their lives," said DARU director Professor Ross Coomber.
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling calculated more than £700 million was spent in 2012 across Devon and Cornwall on touch-screen and casino gaming machines.
Torbay emerged as having the highest spend on gambling, with £97.3 million placed on 66 machines in 18 betting shops in the town. In Plymouth £92 million was wagered on the machines, while £3 million was retained and not paid out in winnings.
Professor Coomber said: "With its diverse population, it stands to reason that a city like Plymouth has its share of problem gamblers. There is a lot of support already available for people with drug or alcohol addictions, but gambling is one area that still needs to be addressed."
The research comes as a new study is launched looking into people's gambling habits and examining the ways people can reduce the potential for harm to both themselves and those around them.
It is hoped the study will also reveal the full scale of the problem in Plymouth and make it easier for agencies to target support and advice where it is most needed.
Professor Coomber said: "Changes in gambling behaviour have been linked to shifts in the social and physical environment, and our new research will examine how these influences can impact on gambling behaviour. Greater knowledge of these influences can be used to reduce gambling-related risks and harm, and the hope is this research will ultimately help reduce some of the risks and harms that gambling that gets out of control can cause and provide help for those on the pathways to recovery."
Statistics show 73% of over-16s in Britain participated in at least one form of gambling in 2010, including the National Lottery. And around 451,000 adults (0.9% of the adult population) had a period of 'problem' gambling in the past year.
