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There’s a hidden epidemic of gambling addiction in Britain and we need to act now to end it.

That’s why Labour is asking if the gambling industry should meet the cost of treating punters who struggle with addiction.

It’s easier to gamble than ever, mainly because of the growth of online and mobile betting, and the industry took a record £13.8billion last year.

Most people bet for fun but there are 430,000 addicts in the UK, according to the Gambling Commission.

In total, 2.3million people are problem gamblers or at risk of addiction.

(Image: Getty)

Experts say that costs taxpayers up to £1.2billion a year because we have to pick up the tab when punters get hooked.

Many become homeless or need mental health treatment – yet some firms deliberately target people who’ve had problems in the past.

That’s disgraceful and it has to stop.

At the moment bookies are asked to give 0.1 per cent of their gambling take to GambleAware - but they don’t have to.

(Image: PA)

Last year they handed over just £7.6million. If they all paid up the total figure would be £13.8million.

The gambling industry has to start acting responsibly.

We won't rest until they do.