UK Gambling Commission Publishes Latest Health Survey

Back in 2016 the UK Gambling Commission carried out a field research focusing on problem gambling and at-risk gambling rates across the Kingdom. Last week, the Commission published the results of the health survey, which reveals that the problem gambling rate across the UK was 0.7%.

The publishing date of the document is September 2018, while its authors are Anne Conolly, Byron Davies, Elizabeth Fuller, Nikki Heinze, Heather Wardle. The health survey was conducted by NatCen and prepared for the UK Gambling Commission.

Some of the covered topics in the research paper include past year’s gambling participation, frequency of gambling participation, prevalence and profile of low risk and moderate risk gamblers as well as prevalence and profile of problem gamblers.

2.4% of People Classed as Low Risk Gamblers

One of the things revealed by key figures is the percentage of people classed as problem gamblers; this figure was 1.2% among gamblers or 0.7% of the population. Additionally, 2.4% of the people were classed as low risk gamblers, while 1.1% were classed as moderate risk gamblers.

According to the results of the health survey, problem gambling was prevalent among people who gambled more than once in the previous year. Moreover, the survey shows that those with probable mental ill health noted higher rates of problem gambling. However, the percentage of adults (over 16 years) who gambled the previous year went down by 6% at 57%.

Just like previous surveys have shown, men are more likely to gamble than women with respective percentages set at 62% and 52%. In regard to online gambling on slots, casino or bingo games, 4% of male participants and 2% of female participants tried this type of gambling.

In terms of gambling participation, National Lottery draws excluded, it was the highest among people aged between 25 and 34. Interestingly, this segment was the lowest among non-drinkers i.e. only 36%. When it comes to popularity of gambling activities, the National Lottery draws remain the most popular with 41%. These are followed by the ever-popular scratchcards with 21%.

“Problem Gambling Rate in Great Britain is Stable”

According to the UK Gambling Commission Executive Director, Tim Miller, the health survey shows that the rate of problem gambling in the country was stable. Nonetheless, he highlighted that they would still prefer to witness a reduction in the problem gambling rates. Miller also pointed out that understanding the level of problem gambling played a significant role in making gambling safer.

However, the Executive Director, also mentioned that the authority together with their expert advisers published a study towards understanding the harms gambling can have on society. That study alongside the health survey, as Miller revealed, will be used for creating the National Gambling Strategy; this strategy is going to be launched in April 2019.

Moreover, another thing published by the UKGC last week was the rules reminder on gambling advertising and sponsorships for gambling operators in the UK. This reminded businesses on issues such as gambling adverts on football club websites, gambling logos on under 18s football shirts and advertising and problem gambling.