Problem gambling has not increased, but the level remains a challenge

Press release

Date: 19 September 2007

A report released by the Gambling Commission today reveals that problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years, despite widespread speculation to the contrary. The British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007 provides data on gambling participation by the British public.

It shows that there has been little change to the number of problem gamblers in Britain with around 0.6% of the adult population being affected - the same percentage as in the last gambling participation survey in 1999.

This latest survey was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Its aim is to measure participation in gambling, estimate the level of problem gambling and the factors associated with it and to explore the public’s attitude towards gambling. 

Since the 1999 survey the nature of gambling in Britain has changed with an increase in the number of gambling products available. Coinciding with the survey’s publication, the new Gambling Act came into force on 1 September. This survey provides a benchmark against which to measure the impact of the new Act.

“The key message is that overall there has been surprisingly little change either in the number of gambling participants or to the number of problem gamblers since 1999,” said Peter Dean, the Gambling Commission’s Chairman.

“We remain concerned that there are still over a quarter of a million adults who are problem gamblers.  The challenge, for us and for the industry, is to tackle this through the new licensing regime that has been put in place from 1 September. British-based gambling operators must now comply with strict and detailed social responsibility obligations, and we will monitor how these requirements are met.

“This survey gives us a benchmark for the future. It also provides a mass of useful data which we and the authors will be analysing further."

“The survey will be repeated in 2009/2010 and we shall then be able to assess the effect of the changes brought about by the new Gambling Act and the measures we have put in place.”
 
The full survey is available on the Commission’s website.

Notes to editors

  1. Two internationally recognised tools were used to measure problem gambling. The ‘DSM IV’ used in the 1999 survey provides comparative results, while the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), a new and more sophisticated measure developed in Canada, replaces the South Oaks Gambling Screen. DSM IV stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, 4th edition.
  2. Comparisons to other jurisdictions show Britain has a higher gambling problem rate than Norway (0.2%), similar rate to Canada (0.5%), New Zealand (0.5%), Sweden (0.6%), Switzerland (0.8%),  lower than Iceland (1.1%), South Africa (1.4%), USA (3.5%), Singapore (4.1%), Hong Kong (5.3%). (Comparisons should be treated with caution, as different methodologies have been used in different countries).
  3. Problem gambling, measured as a percentage of adults shows that, with DSM IV, 0.6% of adults are problem gamblers – the same as 1999. The prevalence of problem gambling among past year gamblers was 0.9% for the DSM IV (compared to 0.8% in 1999 this change is not statistically significant). With the PGSI measure, 0.5% of adults are problem gamblers and 0.8% of past-year gamblers have a problem. These figures include the National Lottery.
  4. The new regime places social responsibility requirements on British-based gambling operators and the Commission will monitor how the industry meets these requirements. Operators will also be required to contribute to education and research about problem gambling, as well as to its treatment. Other requirements include:
  • putting in place policies and procedures to discharge their social responsibility obligations;
  • training staff to recognise and deal with problem gambling;
  • prominently displaying where help can be found by those who need it;
  • enabling players on the internet to keep control by setting limits on their stakes; and
  • providing for self-exclusion from gambling premises for players who seek it.
  1. www.gambleaware.co.uk is a new gambling advice website set up by the Responsibility in Gambling Trust (RIGT). The site is featured on all gambling advertisements from companies regulated by the Commission as part of the industry led advertising code of practice.
  2. The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the public interest. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to government on gambling in Britain.
  3. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.

For further information please contact the John Travers or
Mark Lepkowski on 0121 230 6700 or email communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.