In England, part of the UK, a declining problem gambling rate spells good news for the industry as targets are being met. (Image by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels)
The latest quarterly survey by NHS Health Survey indicates a welcome trend in the lottery, poker, sports betting and online casino England as well as the land-based versions of these gambling verticals showed a decline in problem gambling rates.
For companies involved in the UK casino industry, in which the majority of gamblers are in England, the survey is great news. It means the white paper may dumb down some of the rules it plans to implement as part of the Gambling Act revision.
It was a survey with a large 3,700 participants, showing that problem gambling rates among adults have dipped from 0.5 per cent in 2018 to 0.4 per cent in the recent findings. The detailed data analysis further underscores the decrease in problem gambling rates for both genders.
Lower Gambling Issues: A Closer Look at the Statistics
The NHS Health Survey provides valuable insights into problem gambling rates among adults. It confirms a downward trend in individuals grappling with this issue. The study’s figures harmonize with the recent quarterly survey presented by the Gambling Commission, which also reported a decrease in problem gambling rates to 0.3 per cent among adults in the UK. These findings support the Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) call for operators to use technology to identify and support vulnerable players.
Michael Dugher, the Chief Executive of BGC, expressed satisfaction with the study’s outcomes. He pointed out the low rates of problem gambling in England and the declining trend, even though a significant number of adults engage in gambling activities. Dugher emphasized the critical role of technology and markers of harm in effectively combating problem gambling and protecting vulnerable customers.
Affordability Checks Saga Solved: Dugher also complemented the UK government’s decision to reject intrusive affordability checks, highlighting the majority of bettors’ responsible behaviour and their opposition to excessive restrictions. Some covered in recent news regrading the UK gambling white paper.
Opinion: A Positive Trend, but More Work to be Done
The declining problem gambling rates are a positive indication of the effectiveness of current measures. However, it is essential to keep in mind that even a small percentage represents a significant number of individuals. Technology’s importance to identifying and supporting vulnerable players cannot be overstated.
While the decrease in problem gambling rates is a step in the right direction, the industry must continue to work on further reducing these rates. The BGC’s stance on responsible gambling and the use of technology to help vulnerable players is commendable.
Crucial Point: Ensuring these measures are effectively implemented across the industry will be crucial. This is an area the brand new ‘Regulating the Game‘ conference will help with in the future.
Comparison of Problem Gambling Rates Over Time
| Year | Problem Gambling Rate (Men) | Problem Gambling Rate (Women) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0.8% (640,000 individuals) | 0.3% (240,000 individuals) |
| 2021 | 0.6% (480,000 individuals) | 0.1% (80,000 individuals) |
Note: The initial number of individuals was derived using the percentages provided for the UK adult population, approximately estimated at 80 million individuals.
About Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) is a leading industry association that represents licensed betting and gaming operators in the UK. The BGC is committed to promoting responsible gambling and enhancing industry standards. The council advocates for the application of technology to identify and assist vulnerable players. Its efforts are targeted at striking the right balance between preventing gambling-related harm and ensuring a positive betting experience for millions of customers.
Promoting responsible gambling…
Thanks to organisations operating in the UK like the BGC, GambleAware and GamStop, most online casinos today come with responsible gambling tools so you can set daily, weekly, and monthly deposit and loss limits. You can also set max bet limits, so you do not feel tempted to increase your stake and chase losses. These settings cannot be changed immediately, so if you did want to deposit or bet an amount over your limit, the system will prevent you thanks to a 24-hour safeguard.
Many also come with a reality check showing your balance and length of time playing a game. Plus, you have the option to cool off or self-exclude yourself from playing real money games.
Gambling Responsibly: See the highlighted box above for a list of online casinos that come with responsible gambling tools.
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