Gambling research
The Gambling Commission has a responsibility under the
Gambling Act 2005 to provide advice to the government on gambling
issues. As such, we need to keep up-to-date on research in all
areas of gambling.
Our gambling research programme
We commission and conduct our own research
programme, including the British Gambling Prevalence
Survey which explores problem gambling
levels in Great Britain. We draw on information gathered as part of
our licensing and regulatory activities, and work closely with
partners such as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
and the National Lottery Commission to contribute to a national
body of gambling-related research.
Collecting adult gambling prevalence
data
The Gambling Commission is currently
undertaking a comprehensive review of the way in which we gather
adult gambling prevalence data, and is seeking stakeholder views on
a range of options for future data gathering.
Prevalence data shows us who gambles (and on
what), and also provides an estimate of problem gambling prevalence
in the general population.
A consultation was carried out about the
methodology to be used in future, and was needed because:
- we want to see whether we can move to an approach that is more
flexible and produces more regular outputs than afforded by the
current three-yearly
BGPS whilst maintaining maximum
comparability
- we want to be able to fully understand the costs and
implications of different survey approaches.
As a result of the 2010 government spending review, our
grant in aid allocation has been withdrawn. Up until now, this
was used to pay for the collection of prevalence data. Potential
respondents were informed in October and encouraged to give
particular consideration to what other sources of funding and
management arrangements would be appropriate for taking the survey
forward.
In January 2011 we published the document:
Collecting adult gambling prevalence data - January 2011.
This explained our position following the consultation, provided
a brief overview of the consultation responses received, and set
out the emerging issues which required further exploration and
discussion with stakeholders. A full response to the original
consultation (
Collecting adult gambling prevalence data consultation - September
2010) has
now been published:
Collecting adult gambling prevalence data – responses – May
2011.
National responsible gambling
strategy
The Responsible Gambling Strategy
Board (RGSB), was set up following the
recommendations in our report:
Review of research, education and treatment - October 2008. The RGSB is an
independent body.
The RGSB made its
initial recommendations on a national responsible gambling
strategy and framework in October 2009 and published its annual
strategy in October 2010.
The RGSB’s recommendations are being
taken forward by the Responsible Gambling
Trust who are responsible for raising funds from the
industry and distributing the money raised
Further information from the RGSB, including their initial
recommendations and their annual strategy, can be found on
their publications
page.
Page last reviewed: April
2012