NatCen appointed for British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010

Press release

Date: 18 February 2009

Following a rigorous selection process the Gambling Commission has appointed NatCen - The National Centre for Social Research, to carry out the British Gambling Prevalence Survey (BGPS) 2010.

The survey will build on the two previous prevalence surveys published in 2000 and 2007 and will measure the prevalence of participation in all forms of commercial and private gambling and estimate the prevalence of problem gambling. It will, where appropriate, provide comparisons between pre and post implementation of the Gambling Act 2005. In addition it will provide a range of useful data for the Commission and its stakeholders. It also aims to identify a population of gamblers who could be invited to participate in future research.

Jenny Williams, Gambling Commission Chief Executive, said:

"We're very pleased to have NatCen on board for this project. They have over thirty years experience of large-scale surveys of this nature, a proven track record of working with a range of public sector bodies and a sound understanding of gambling related issues. Their experience in researching sensitive issues and complex stakeholder management is extensive.”

The Commission aims to publish results of the BGPS before the end of 2010.

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest.
  2. The Commission’s objectives are: to prevent gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime; to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way; and, to protect children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
  3. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all commercial 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.
  4. The 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey can be found on the Commission website. Secondary Analysis is also available on the website.
  5. An overview of the British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010: an overview - January 2009is available on the Commission website.
  6. Dr Rachel Volberg of Gemini Research, Professor Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University and Professor Jim Orford of the University of Birmingham will provide academic expertise for the survey.
  7. The Commission will be maintaining an open dialogue with stakeholders throughout the BGPS 2010 project. We will engage with the Prevalence Survey Advisory Group throughout the survey, updating them on developments and drawing on their expertise. The group includes representatives from trade associations, faith groups and problem gambling groups. We will also be hosting regular meetings for the BGPS 2010 Steering Group which includes representatives from the Gambling Commission, Department of Culture Media and Sport, National Lottery Commission and Department of Health.

Further information

Further information is available from the Commission’s website.

Contact John Travers on (0121) 230 6700 or communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk