The Scotsman

Scots ‘more likely’ to gamble than rest of UK

- By PAUL WARD

Scots are more likely to take part in gambling than people in the rest of the UK, according to a survey.

The Gambling Commission found 66 per cent of adults in Scotland spent money on gambling activities in 2016, compared with 56 per cent in England and 55 per cent in Wales. The National Lottery was the most popular, with 51 per cent of Scots buying a ticket during the year and 23 per cent buying scratchcar­ds.

Online bets had been put on by 10 per cent of Scots, while 11 per cent said they bet on a horse race and 5 per cent had bet on football in a bookmakers shop.

Across the UK, 57 per cent of adults were found to have gambled in the past year, down 6 per cent compared to a 2015 report.

The Commission said 1.2 per cent of gamblers were classed as “problem gamblers”, with the rate consistent with previous reports in 2012 and 2015.

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