Scots gamblers are more likely to keep their habit hidden than those from other parts of the UK, a study has found.

Research from polling company YouGov found 37% of Scots who gamble would prefer to keep the extent of their gambling hidden from friends and colleagues, well above the UK average of 28%.

The problem was found to be particularly acute in the finance, accountancy and legal sectors, where 34% of gamblers said they worried about their colleagues finding out about their betting.

YouGov also found people working as managers are more likely to have gambled in the last year than those who are not at 45% compared to 39%.

More than a quarter of Scots (28%) gamble at least once a week, according to the report, while 3% of adults across the UK said they knew someone who had lost their job or had been unable to find work because of their compulsive behaviour.

The report also criticised fixed odds gambling machines, which were found to be twice as popular among unemployed people as they are to those in a job.

Employment agency Reed in Partnership commissioned the study. The firm is now calling for employers to take more action to support staff who may struggle with problem gambling.

Managing director Martin Fallon said: "It's important that we provide adequate support and guidance for those who are at risk of losing their jobs because of gambling, and those whose addiction is stopping them from getting back into the workplace.

"At the same time, fixed odds betting terminals, which are particularly attractive to the unemployed, have such high limits that you could lose one month's worth of jobseekers allowance in less than one minute."

One of the firm's employment advisers, who works with the long term unemployed, added: "Jobseekers already struggle when on JSA to make ends meet and by gambling they are entering a vicious circle which can be hard to break and cause debt, blacklisting or even crime."