Referrals have gone up almost 130%, with almost 2,000 people referred to gambling clinics between April and September this year, compared to just over 800 in the same period last year.

However, to manage demand, the NHS has doubled the number of clinics for problem gambling in England with 15 services now operating across the country. The specialist services provide a range of support from staff including mental health practitioners, psychiatrists as well as peer support.

Claire Murdoch, NHS national director for mental health said: 'Addiction is a cruel disease that can take over and ruin lives. NHS England has almost doubled the number of specialist clinics available in the space of a year, so if you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction please come forward.

'The NHS cannot be left alone to pick up the ills caused by firms engaging in activities that fuel addiction - these companies should think hard about the potential harms to people behind their profits.'

Around 138,000 people could be problem gambling according to Gambling Commission figures, with around a further 1.3 million people engaging in either moderate or low-risk gambling, although other research estimates that this figure could be even higher.