The internet and other new forms of gambling have not led to an increase in people having a flutter since 1999, a Gambling Commission study has found.

In fact, due to a drop in the National Lottery sales, the numbers of people gambling fell from 72% in 1999 to 68%.

Commission chairman Peter Dean said more than 99% of adults who gambled did so harmlessly but there were still 250,000 "problem gamblers" in Britain.

Gordon Brown's spokesman said problem gambling had to be tackled.

The Gambling Prevalence Study questioned 9,003 people between September 2006 and March 2007 about 17 types of gambling - from scratch cards to casinos.

'No increase'

It looked at attitudes, the popularity of different types of gambling and the prevalence of problem gambling and followed a similar study in 1999.

Mr Dean said they had been expecting an increase in the number of gamblers, and the amount of problem gambling.

"It was something of a surprise, and a relief too,".

WHO GAMBLES ON WHAT

National Lottery draw - 57%

Scratch cards - 20%

Horse races - 17%

Slot machines - 14%

Other lottery tickets - 12%

Private betting - 10%