User feedback and our response - Young People and Gambling survey (August 2026)
Feedback - Young People and Gambling survey
We received correspondence from a user in August 2026 which raised some questions about the reliability, interpretation and use of findings from the Young People and Gambling Survey (YPGS).
The main areas of concern that the user raised were:
1. Unusual or implausible responses
Questions are raised about individual responses that appear unusual or implausible, including respondents reporting particularly broad patterns of gambling activity or, conversely, limited gambling activity despite being classified as ‘problem gamblers’.
2. Straight-lining and response consistency
The analysis identifies response patterns which it suggests could indicate straight-lining, inattentive completion or other inconsistencies, and questions how such responses are identified and treated within the survey’s quality assurance processes.
3. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition – Multiple Response Juvenile (DSM-IV-MR-J) measure of problem gambling
Questions are raised about the relationship between the DSM-IV-MR-J measure and the gambling activities reported by young people classified as ‘problem gamblers’, including cases involving relatively limited or no recent gambling and low participation in age-restricted activities.
4. Being prompted to gamble by advertising or promotions
The correspondence examines the finding that around 5% of young people report being prompted to gamble by advertising or promotions. It considers what this measure demonstrates, particularly where respondents subsequently report no gambling activity, and questions whether it can establish a relationship between advertising exposure and gambling behaviour.
5. Online survey administration
Questions are raised about the impact of the YPGS's move from paper-based to online completion, including whether the online format may affect how young people understand questions, engage with the questionnaire or provide their responses.
6. The survey introduction, safeguarding and data quality
The correspondence considers the information provided to young people about the survey in advance, including whether this could influence who participates or how questions are answered. It also considers the balance between providing appropriate safeguarding information and minimising any potential impact on data quality.
7. Official Statistics status and use of YPGS findings
The correspondence raises broader questions about the YPGS's status as Official Statistics, the limitations and uncertainty associated with survey findings, and how individual findings should be presented and used in regulatory, political and public debate.
Our response
Gambling Commission statement on the Young People and Gambling Survey
The Commission has reviewed questions from a user concerning the reliability, interpretation and use of findings from the YPGS, working alongside its survey supplier Ipsos.
The review considered a range of issues relating to the survey, including:
- Responses that appear unusual or implausible.
- 'Straight-lining’ and response consistency.
- The DSM-IV-MR-J measure of problem gambling.
- Findings about young people being prompted to gamble by advertising or promotions.
- Online survey administration.
- The survey introduction and safeguarding.
- The YPGS’s status as Official Statistics.
Methodological context
Self-report surveys are a well-established approach to collecting information directly from children and young people about behaviours, attitudes and experiences that cannot otherwise be readily observed. Their value depends on appropriate survey design, quality assurance and transparent reporting.
The YPGS is subject to established quality assurance processes and is produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics (opens in new tab). As with all survey research, the results are subject to uncertainty and potential measurement error, and a small number of individual responses may sometimes appear unusual or inconsistent.
The Commission's review has not identified evidence that the issues considered undermine the overall reliability, quality or integrity of the YPGS or its Official Statistics status. The review has identified opportunities to provide greater transparency about the survey's methodology, quality assurance processes, limitations and the appropriate interpretation of individual findings.
Response consistency
Unusual or unexpected responses do not, in themselves, demonstrate that a survey response is invalid. Removing responses simply because they appear unlikely could introduce subjective judgements or exclude genuine experiences.
The YPGS applies predefined quality checks during fieldwork and data processing, including checks for routing errors, inconsistent reporting, unusually rapid completion and patterns associated with straight-lining or disengaged responding. Responses are removed only where there is evidence that they fail established quality standards.
Some of the examples that the user brought to our attention relate to very small numbers of respondents (6 cases from around 11,000), particularly within the relatively small group classified as ‘problem gamblers’. Findings based on small base sizes carry greater uncertainty and should therefore be interpreted with appropriate caution.
The YPGS data from different survey years are also not designed to be aggregated in the way undertaken in some analyses by the user. There is no weighting variable that enables robust combined analysis across survey waves. Conclusions drawn from unweighted aggregated datasets should therefore not be treated as reliable indicators of overall survey quality or validity.
The DSM-IV-MR-J measure
The DSM-IV-MR-J is specifically designed to identify indicators of gambling-related difficulties among young people. It measures gambling-related behaviours, experiences and consequences over the previous 12 months rather than simply measuring how frequently someone gambles.
This means that a young person can report relatively low recent gambling participation, including no gambling in the previous week, while still meeting the criteria for the measure.
The measure also does not distinguish between age-restricted and non-age-restricted gambling activities. It is intended to identify indicators of gambling-related difficulties rather than assess compliance with age restrictions.
The DSM-IV-MR-J is designed for use with young people and is not directly comparable with adult measures such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI).
Being prompted to gamble by advertising or promotions
The YPGS asks young people whether they have ever been prompted to gamble after seeing gambling advertising or promotions. This is a descriptive measure and does not establish that advertising directly caused subsequent gambling participation.
Being prompted or intending to gamble and actually participating in gambling are distinct concepts. A substantial proportion of young people who report being prompted to gamble also report no gambling activity.
The survey does not establish a link between specific advertising exposure and particular gambling activities, nor does it provide a basis for concluding that gambling took place illegally.
The survey has recognised limitations in asking young people to recall and identify specific advertising. Complementary qualitative research has therefore also been undertaken to explore young people's exposure to gambling and its influence in greater depth.
Online survey administration
The YPGS is completed online in controlled classroom conditions, with pupils completing the questionnaire independently and in silence. The transition from paper-based to online completion has previously been examined through methodological research commissioned by the Commission.
Online self-completion is an established approach in survey research. The survey also incorporates cognitive testing and other quality assurance processes intended to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and identify potential data quality issues.
Survey introduction and safeguarding
Information about the survey is provided to pupils and teachers in advance. This is intended to support safeguarding and inform participation, including allowing young people who may find the subject matter distressing to withdraw.
The Commission recognises that advance information could potentially influence participation or responses. There is no clear evidence that providing this information introduces a systematic bias that would invalidate the survey findings. It may also result in some young people with relevant experiences choosing not to participate.
The YPGS’s status as Official Statistics
The YPGS is produced in accordance with the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics (opens in new tab). Official Statistics are not required to be free from uncertainty or methodological limitations. Rather, the Code requires appropriate methods, quality assurance, transparency about limitations and sufficient information to support informed interpretation.
The Commission considers that the YPGS continues to provide valuable information about gambling behaviours among children and young people when interpreted appropriately and alongside the wider evidence base.
At the same time, the review has identified opportunities to improve how the survey's findings and limitations are communicated. Future publications will provide greater detail about quality assurance processes, the limitations of combining data across survey waves and the implications of small sample sizes.
The Commission has recently completed the procurement for the next set of surveys. As part of the new survey contract, we had already requested that a number of questions will also undergo cognitive testing to explore how young people understand and interpret them. This will also consider whether changes to question wording, supporting information or the presentation of findings would improve clarity. These measures form part of the Commission's ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to ensuring that users have the information they need to make informed and appropriate interpretations of the YPGS.
Last updated: 2 October 2026
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