The Salvation Army was responding to the Gambling Commission's Prevalence Study released this week which found that the number of problem gamblers was the same as in 1999.

In a statement, The Salvation Army said, however, "Given that this study was conducted in advance of the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005, it does little to alleviate The Salvation Army's concerns that problem gambling could rise over time with increasing gambling opportunities and stimulated demand.

"There may not have been increases in gambling or problem gambling rates yet, but it remains to be seen what the impact of changes to the laws governing the supply and advertising of gambling will be."

It also said that provisions to allow gambling advertising under the Gambling Act 2005 seemed "to be out of step with public opinion" after the report noted that attitudes towards gambling among the general public are more negative than positive.

It warned, "As a society, we must not pat ourselves on the back that problem gambling rates have not increased, but ask ourselves why so many lives continue to be destroyed by this activity. There are still a quarter of a million too many problem gamblers in this country."

Other Christian bodies also expressed concern at the high number of problem gamblers, urging the Government to take steps to reduce the present figure by the time of the next study in three years time.

The Evangelical Alliance's Parliamentary Officer, Gareth Wallace, said, "This is no time for complacency. Problem gamblers are not mere statistics. Both the Gambling Commission and the Dept for Culture Media and Sport have said that these figures are nothing to be proud of.

"With no reduction in problem gambling since the GamCare report in 1999, the Government need to urgently provide more resources to assist those whose lives are being blighted by problem gambling."

Christian Charity CARE called for an immediate ban on gambling advertising, warning that problem gambling had a "devastating effect" on the lives of gamblers and their families.

Dan Boucher, Director of Parliamentary Affairs at CARE, said, "One of the simplest and most helpful things that government could do to reduce the harmful effects of gambling would be to introduce an immediate ban on gambling advertising."