Gambling Behaviour In Great Britain 2016
This report, prepared for the Gambling Commission UK, provides information about gambling behaviour in Great Britain using data combined from the Health Survey for England 2015, and the Scottish Health Survey 2015 and the Wales Omnibus in 2015. The study examines the prevalence and characteristics of gambling participation, at-risk gambling and problem gambling. As an evidence-based regulator we collaborate with local and international researchers and organisations to provide advice to the government about gambling behaviour in Great Britain. We collect and analyse data to monitor changes that may have an impact on the regulatory framework and to make sure we are up-to-date with gambling industry. Gambling in 2017/18 in Great Britain Almost 1 in 5 adults in Great Britain gamble onlinee Gambling as a public health issue in Wales Gambling is increasingly recognised as a public health problem. While only a minority of gamblers develop gambling problems, the fi nancial, health. Presentation: analysis of gambling-related discussions in the the British Parliament between 2005 and 2015. Uses official Hansard records to document interest in and sentiment towards different sectors of the gambling industry; and to identify how parliamentary sentiment has corresponded with changes (positive and negative) to gambling legislation and regulation (and to ask whether.
The Gambling Commission has today published the latest Gambling Behaviour Report (that can be downloaded below). Using data combined from the Health Survey for England (HSE) 2016, the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) 2016 and the Wales Omnibus in 2016, it outlines participation, at-risk gambling and problem gambling rates across Great Britain.
The data, drawn from field research carried out in 2016, shows that the rate of problem gambling across Britain was 0.7%. The Commission describes this as “statistically stable” but, interestingly, it compares with 0.8% in the previous such report published last year, on which we reported here.
Tim Miller, Executive Director at the Gambling Commission is quoted as saying:
“The Health Survey, along with all of our evidence and data, indicates that the problem gambling rate in Great Britain is stable. However, we want to see a sustained and significant reduction in the levels of problem gambling and will continue to drive the industry to build momentum towards this goal. Understanding the level of problem gambling is an important part of making gambling safer, but what this data won’t show is the extent of the harm someone may be experiencing, or the wider impact upon their families and their communities. That is why, together with our expert advisers the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, we recently published a ground-breaking approach to understanding the full range of harms gambling can have on society.”
The Commission’s website states that:
“This work, alongside the recently published research programme marks an important step in informing the direction of the next National Responsible Gambling Strategy, which will launch in April 2019. Comments on how the social cost of gambling-related harms can be measured and better understood, along with feedback on the research programme are welcomed by email: [email protected]“
Headline findings from the report are as follows:
- 1.2% of gamblers were classed as problem gamblers (0.7% of the population) – described by the Commission as “statistically stable, and consistent with both 2012 and 2015 reports”
- 2.4% of people were classed as low risk gamblers, and 1.1% of people as moderate risk gamblers
- Problem gambling was more prevalent among people who had participated in multiple gambling activities in the past year, than those that had just participated in one
- 57% of adults (aged 16 and over) in Great Britain had gambled in the past year – this is down by 6% compared to 2015
- Men (62%) are more likely to participate in gambling than women (52%)
- The most popular gambling activities were: National Lottery draws (41%), scratchcards (21%) and other lotteries (14%)
- Gambling participation (excluding National Lottery draws only) was highest among 25 – 34 year olds
- Gambling participation was lowest among non-drinkers (36%), followed by those who drank up to 14 units of alcohol per week (59%) and were highest for those who drank more than 14 units per week (69%)
- Problem gambling rates were higher among those with probable mental ill health (according to the GHQ-12 score), than those that indicated no evidence of probable mental ill health.
The Gambling Commission and government need to do more to ensure that regulation can protect gamblers effectively, according to a new NAO report.
There are an estimated 1.8 million ‘at risk’ gamblers and 395,000 ‘problem’ gamblers – including 55,000 children, some of whom are as young as 11.1
Gambling addiction can lead to mental health problems, relationship difficulties, large-scale financial loss and, in some cases, crime or suicide.
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The NAO’s report looks at regulation of an industry which now yields over £11.3 billion2 for gambling operators every year. The Gambling Commission3, which regulates the industry, has annual funding of £19 million and almost all of it comes from licence fees paid by gambling operators. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is the government department with overall responsibility for gambling policy and regulation.
The report concludes that while the Commission has improved regulation, there is much more it should do. It has increased enforcement against gambling operators that break rules, for example by revoking licences, and has also strengthened its rule book.4 But it needs to do more to incentivise operators to raise standards and be more systematic and detailed in recording and analysing information about gamblers to plug gaps in its knowledge.
Even if the Commission makes these improvements, it is a small body that is unlikely to be fully effective in regulating a challenging and fast-changing industry within the current system. Gambling regulation does not have features seen in other sectors, such as an ombudsman, and the way it is funded is not flexible meaning the Commission cannot change licence fees to respond to new risks emerging quickly from changes in technology and demand.
The report’s recommendations include that the Commission and DCMS should:
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- Be more strategic about getting gambling companies to better protect people. This could include incentivising companies to do more to make gambling safer beyond meeting minimum requirements
- Ensure gamblers are aware of services to resolve disputes, and review whether these arrangements are working effectively.
- Review how regulation is funded so they can keep pace with a fast-changing industry.