Two in three Britons have gambled in the last year although the numbers playing the Lotto game continue to fall, a government-commissioned survey has found.

Whilst the numbers playing the National Lottery are down, there has been an increase in the percentage of people playing bingo, placing a bet at a bookmaker or visiting internet casinos.

The poll found that people have "a generally favourable attitude" towards playing lotteries and bingo.

But they are less keen on gambling involving the internet and fruit machines.

The survey comes as the government considers responses to its draft gambling bill, which was published last year.

The minister for gambling Lord McIntosh said the report showed that the vast majority of people take a responsible approach to the pursuit.

"This survey is a valuable reflection of public opinion at a time when we are modernising our out of date gambling laws," he said.

"While the survey suggests that the number of people gambling has fallen slightly over the past five years it is still clear that some form of gambling, most commonly the National Lottery, remains something enjoyed by a majority of the public.

"I was particularly comforted to note that those surveyed saw gambling as an activity with some risks and were in favour of continuing with very careful regulation in the future.

"This matches the approach taken in the draft Bill which, by establishing the Gambling Commission, will create as comprehensive a system of control and regulation as exists anywhere in the world."