An estimated £200 million was lost on gambling in Sussex last year.

The astonishing figure comes from research by The Argus, using a formula devised by statistics experts.

Anti-gambling campaigners warned the huge bill for the county's gambling habit would only increase with the recent liberalisation of gambling laws.

Brighton and Hove City Council has applied for Government licences for two new casinos which would dwarf any gambling complex in the county.

Liberal Democrat councillor Dawn Davidson said:

"Gambling is now an enormous social problem - it is another addiction.

"There is the conflict within the council of putting forward the interests of residents and being custodians of the tourist trade."

Green councillor Simon Williams, who sits on the licensing committee, said:

"These loss sums are quite scary for a city of our size which currently only has a few small-scale casinos.

"These losses can only grow larger if the council succeeds in its application for a large casino in the city."

The estimate for Sussex's gambling losses is based on national figures devised by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants (GBGC), a leading gambling consultancy which specialises in market research and statistical data.

According to GBGC £2.5 billion was lost in the 8,000 betting shops across the country last year. Sussex has 188 betting shops, which would have accumulated a loss of £50 million according to the same formula.

The county has 15 major bingo halls, where around £13 million was lost last year, and punters also parted with more than £20 million in the county's four main casinos.

A further £18 million was lost at the six Sussex racetracks.

Teresa Tunstall, head of development at the gambling dependency charity GamCare, said: "The Southeast is more affluent than many other parts of the country.

"Brighton in particular, as a coastal, tourist destination, will find more people developing problems."

The £200 million estimate for Sussex compares unfavourably with the £155 million thought to have been lost in neighbouring Kent and the £182 million lost in Hampshire.

Reformed gambler Jake Brindell, 34, estimates he has blown £100,000 at gaming tables and bookmakers over two decades. It ended with a failed suicide attempt in 2003.

Mr Brindell, who helps gambling addicts, criticised new gambling laws allowing casinos to advertise and removing the 24-hour cooling-off period between joining a casino and placing a bet.

For advice on gambling dependency, GamCare's 24 hour helpline is 0845 6000 133