An addiction group in Barrow has expressed scepticism around plans to ban the use of credit cards in online gambling.

This month, the Government's Gambling Commission announced that from April 14, anyone who wants to bet online will be required to use a debit card or funds already deposited into an account.

The only exception will be for people who play the National Lottery.

However, Dave Higham, chief executive of charity The Well, said he has reservations over such restrictions.

He said: “I’m cautious about limiting access to gambling in this kind of way,” Mr Higham said. “It’s like forced control.”

“A lot of people we see actually go from gambling on to alcohol or substance abuse. Most of these people are chasing a high and they’ll find some way to do that, regardless of prohibition measures.

“This is why we have a philosophy of total abstinence at The Well. We believe there has to be an element of personal responsibility when it comes to tackling addiction.”

Mr Higham did, however, argue there could be scope to limit ads for gambling during popular entertainment watched by children, like televised football matches - an area that would depend to some degree on regulation.

“I think if anything there’s more of an issue with how gambling is thought of in the public mind - there should be the same level of support for gambling addiction as there is for substance abuse,” he said.

“It’s a bit like how it was with cigarettes a few decades ago.

"Gambling is presented as fun, it’s flashy and endorsed by celebrities.

"Changing this would have a greater impact, I think, than bans on the slots.”

Barrow MP Simon Fell, said: “Some of what’s been proposed around, for instance, credit card bans at betting terminals makes a great deal of sense.

“If you’re going to gamble, you need to understand the risks involved.

“However, I’m reluctant to be overly prescriptive about this.

"I’d be very interested to hear from victim support groups, who are at the sharp end of the issue.

“Placing some kind of limit on gambling ads certainly seems a good area to look at - and it would follow on from a number of recent government moves in a similar vein, like the 2018 sugar tax and ban on money services ads during daytime TV slots.

"But we’d obviously need a proper, evidence-based consultation first, before making any decisions here.”