UK Gambling Commission Unveils Landmark Gambling Survey for Great Britain
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has released its first annual report on the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, marking a significant advancement in understanding gambling behaviors across the UK. Conducted in collaboration with the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Glasgow in 2023, the study involved nearly 10,000 participants, with plans to expand to 20,000 in future surveys.
Key Findings on Gambling Participation
The survey found that 48% of adults aged 18 and over had engaged in some form of gambling in the past four weeks.
Male participants (52%) were more likely to gamble than female participants (44%). When excluding those who only participated in lottery draws, gambling participation stood at 27%.
Problem Gambling Insights
Significant differences emerged in the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores, particularly among younger individuals and those involved in specific gambling activities such as online slots and non-sports betting.
Men and participants aged 18 to 34 had notably higher PGSI scores compared to other groups. The proportion of participants with a PGSI score of 8 or more was more than six times higher among those who had gambled on online slots in the past year.
The overall PGSI score (+8) for all participants was 2.5%, a substantial increase from previous NHS surveys, which reported problem gambling prevalence at 0.3%-0.4% among UK adults.
Caution Against Direct Comparisons
The UKGC advised against directly comparing the new data with previous NHS health surveys.
Despite this, the Commission emphasized that the survey offers valuable insights into gambling participation, types of gambling activities, motivations, and the impacts of gambling on individuals and their close associates.
Methodology and Data Collection
The survey is part of a broader initiative by the UKGC, which began a pilot program in 2021 to revamp data collection on adult gambling participation and problem gambling prevalence.
By adopting a new methodology and approach, this survey replaces previous datasets from the NHS.
Statements from UKGC Officials
Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the UKGC, highlighted the importance of the survey in gathering comprehensive evidence on gambling. “Today’s publication is the next significant step forward in our journey on creating a robust source of evidence for gambling in Great Britain,” Miller stated.
Andrew Rhodes, UKGC CEO, praised the survey’s thorough development and its role as a comprehensive evaluation tool. He noted that with the survey fully operational, involving around 20,000 respondents annually, it will be the largest of its kind globally.
