UK Gambling Commission Estimates 1.4 Million Britons Have a Gambling Problem
Nearly 3% of the nation suffers from a gambling problem, according to new study commissioned on behalf of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
In order to ascertain the effects of gambling on society, the UKGC's Gambling Survey for Great Britain, which was carried out by the University of Glasgow and the National Center for Social Research, surveyed 19,714 adults—the largest sample size in the survey's history.
Nearly half (48%) of British adults who were 18 years of age or older reported gambling in the previous month, according to the study. Eliminating lottery purchases reduced the participation percentage to 28%.
According to the survey, 2.7% of adults had an 8+ score on the Problem Gambling Severity Index, which is a clinically useful tool for assessing gambling disorders. A score higher than 8 indicates that a person's gambling is causing them to have a lot of troubles in their lives.
Approximately 1.4 million adults in the UK, or 2 percent of the total population, suffer from gambling addiction.
The annual Gambling Survey is designed to assist the UKGC in determining the areas that require regulatory attention and responsible gaming initiatives.
Implications of Gambling
In the UK, betting shops have long been a mainstay of high streets, and many people consider gambling on sports to be a part of their daily lives. However, when someone loses control of their betting, the hobby has serious repercussions.
"This year’s findings deepen our understanding of consequences from gambling and provide crucial insight into risk profiles among those who gamble most frequently. We strongly encourage operators to use this evidence to consider the risks within their own customer bases,” said Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the Gambling Commission.
The UKGC is still taking action to shield the general public from the risks associated with problem gambling.
The maximum wager on a fixed-odds betting terminal (FOBT) that resembles a slot machine was cut from £100 to £2 in 2019. By prohibiting auto-play and reducing game speed, the commission has also "decreased the intensity of all online games," according to Rhodes. Age verification requirements in establishments have also been strengthened by the UKGC.
Additionally, the UKGC has ordered gaming operators to perform "light-touch financial vulnerability checks" on customers who wager more than £150 each month. The checks do not affect the customer's credit score and don't require any action from them. Instead, they use publicly accessible data to perform a soft review of the person's financial situation.
Additionally, gaming companies have been instructed by the UKGC to cease compelling their clients to wager bonus and promotional monies a specific number of times before they can withdraw their credits.
Stable Gambling with Serious Issues
In 2024, the prevalence of problem gambling in the UK did not decline, but it also did not increase. According to the UKGC report, the 2.7% of adults struggling with a gambling issue was "statistically stable" until 2023.
"Representing problem gambling by which a person will have experienced adverse consequences from gambling and may have lost control of their behavior" is the definition of a Problem Gambling Severity Index score more than 8. Any amount of gambling involvement is possible, but it is usually high, according to the PGCI website.
