According to a County Council report, it's reported an estimated 5,500 people are problem gamblers in Devon.
The study suggests people who are not working, because they are long-term sick or carers, are more likely to have this type of addiction. The unhealthy addiction could lead to depression, homelessness and family breakdown.
The report also added, there are a relatively small number of people in Devon whose gambling does result in harm in comparison to smoking (79,000), alcohol (120,600) or obese adults (141,200).
Devon Councillor Alistair Dewhirst said he typed into Google ‘gambling in Devon’ and found that 20 per cent of problem gamblers attempt suicide at some point, so over 1,000 people in Devon, which is a scary number.
The report recommended raising awareness of help available for gambling addicts.
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