UK Gambling Commission Reports Significant Decline in Problem Gambling Rates
The most recent study on gambling involvement and problematic gambling in the United Kingdom, conducted by the UK Gambling Commission for the third quarter of 2021, reveals a substantial decline in the nation’s problematic gambling rate, reaching a low of 0.3%.
The research, carried out by Yonder through telephone interviews, gathered 4009 valid responses. Using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), 0.3% of participants were categorized as problematic gamblers. This figure is lower than the 0.6% recorded in September 2020 and the 0.4% observed in June 2021.
The report also underscores a notable decrease in the problematic gambling rate among men, dropping from 0.8% to 0.3%.
The percentage of individuals classified as having a moderate risk of gambling issues also experienced a significant reduction to 0.7% compared to the same period in the previous year, but remained steady compared to June.
The proportion of individuals categorized as having a low risk of gambling problems was lower than in 2020, although the difference fell within the margin of error.
Overall, the percentage of individuals at risk of gambling problems was 2.9%, down from 4.0% a year earlier.
The problematic gambling rate, along with the proportion of individuals at all risk levels, represents the lowest figures recorded by the UK Gambling Commission since 2016.
The head of the UK Gambling Commission, Michael Dugher, has stated that the recent decline in gambling-related harm signifies the organization’s positive impact.
He explained that since its establishment in 2019, the commission has been dedicated to elevating standards within the regulated gambling sector and advocating for responsible gambling practices.
Dugher highlighted various initiatives undertaken, including the promotion of safer gambling tools like deposit limits and timeouts, increased funding for research and treatment, educational programs for GamCare and YGAM, a credit card ban, stricter regulations on VIP schemes and game design, and the use of technology to intervene with online users.
While acknowledging that problem gambling remains a concern, Dugher expressed unwavering commitment to sustaining this progress in the future.
Dugher emphasized that the findings suggest the continued effectiveness of evidence-based harm reduction strategies over more drastic measures.
He noted the existence of groups advocating for prohibition, but highlighted the government’s consistent stance of adopting an evidence-based approach to gambling regulation. Dugher stressed the importance of providing enhanced protection for vulnerable individuals while acknowledging the vast majority of gamblers engage in safe and responsible betting.
Were making strides in addressing problem gambling and pushing for stricter regulations on licensed operators. It’s vital that we avoid any actions that could drive individuals towards unregulated, illicit online gambling, where safeguards and responsible gambling initiatives are absent.
While overall gambling rates remain consistent year-over-year, a reduction in gambling-related harm is evident, with 42.0% of participants reporting gambling activity in the preceding four weeks. However, this figure remains notably lower than in 2019, when 46.7% of participants reported gambling activity.
Among those who engaged in gambling, a greater proportion indicated a decrease in gambling frequency, with 18.0% of gamblers reporting gambling less than once a month.
Excluding the National Lottery, 28.3% of individuals reported gambling in the past four weeks.
Meanwhile, online gambling participation has surged, with 25.0% of individuals reporting online gambling, a new peak. Excluding the National Lottery, this figure reaches 17.7%. Conversely, offline gambling has declined from 28.6% to 23.9%, significantly lower than the pre-pandemic level of 34.9%.
The National Lottery remains the most popular gambling product, with 26.5% of the population participating. Meanwhile, 7.8% of individuals play scratchcards, and 12.8% participate in other lottery games.
Participation in bingo, football pools, and gaming machines in betting shops (such as fixed-odds betting terminals) has all experienced statistically significant declines.
Furthermore, 3…
A tiny fraction, around four percent, of those polled indicated they engage in slot machine play. A marginally larger proportion, five point six percent, stated they wager on sporting events.
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