Research carried out by Neilson Media Research has identified that online gambling in UK has increased by 40% from July 2009 to July 2010. This was faster than the world’s largest social networking site, Facebook and has lead to concerns from the GamCare, the charity which provides information and support to those with a gambling problem.

This latest information is also cause for concern with high levels of unemployment and many people in the UK finding themselves struggling financially during the same period. Things are unlikely to improve in the near term with the Government set to release details of record budget cuts next month resulting in the loss of thousands of public sector workers. Turning to gambling in times of hardship can lead to detrimental effects. The lack of regulation and licensing within the online gaming industry means that many problem gamblers are more vulnerable.

The report indicates that in the last year the UK online gambling market has seen an increase of 3.2 million players. Camelot the UK lottery operator has seen an 88% increase in users during the period. It was also noted that nearly 50 percent of online gamblers earn more than £30,000 and that 46 percent of online gamblers were woman. Of around the 2,000 online gambling sites in the UK, including casinos, bingo and poker sites many of them used “female friendly” colours or gambling horoscopes which appeal to the female demographics.

A spokesman for Nielsen Media, Neil Beston, commented: "The over-65s and those on lower household incomes have historically been heavy users of gambling sites, but in the face of the recession this profile is changing. While the phenomenal growth in gambling sites over the last two years has been driven by men and women of all ages, it appears to be powered particularly by middle-aged men, the well-educated and high-earning households."

Adrian Scarfe, the Clinical Training Director at GamCare, expressed concerns over the rapid increase of online gamblers in the UK adding: "The internet is readily available, it's 24/7 and it's right in the heart of a home. The vulnerable groups are those who are less risk-averse - young people and women, and no one knows if you're drunk."

GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.