UK gambling firms spent ‘astronomic’ £2bn on advertising last year

Calls for Rachel Reeves to increase taxes in budget as estimate outstrips duties collected from online casinos

British gambling companies spent an astronomic" 2bn on advertising and marketing last year, according to a new estimate that has intensified calls for the chancellor to increase taxes on the sector.

Bookmakers, online casinos and slot machine companies spent the sum through a mixture of print and digital promotions, as well as affiliate programmes, where third parties are paid to steer gamblers towards particular operators in return for a fee.