Gambling in the UK generated £5.6bn in gross gambling yield between October 2009 and September 2010, the latest figures from the Gambling Commission show.

Land-based betting remained the largest contributor to the sector with a 52 per cent market share and gross gaming yield of £2.8bn. Casinos, meanwhile, represented 14 per cent of the market and generated £758m - an increase of one per cent on the previous year.

As of September 30, there were 145 casinos operating across the country, the majority of which were owned by just three companies - Genting UK (46), the Rank Group (35) and Gala Coral (28). Customer visits increased by almost 500,000 to 17 million during the period.

Overall, the casino sector employed 13,094 people, which was seven per cent down on the figure recorded between April 2009 and March 2010.