Report
Assessment of online games design changes
Gambling Commission report focusing on research conducted into the impact of the online gambling games design changes.
Contents
- Executive summary
- Introduction
- Methodology and limitations
- Outcomes
- - Reduced play intensity
- - Consumer awareness
- - Reduced binge gambling
- - Gambling within consumer means
- - Complaints
- - Safer gambling measures
- - Increased trust in gambling providers
- - Reduced 'problem gambling' rates
- Assumptions
- - Staking behaviour
- - Session length
- - Use of multiple tabs
- - Games design
- - Displacement to other games
- - Time and position
- - Loss chasing
- - Displacement to other markets
- - Inconvenience for gamblers
- Conclusions and next steps
- Appendices
Increased trust in gambling providers
Summary
The level of trust in the gambling industry has increased amongst gamblers, though it cannot be attributed to these changes introduced towards the end of 2021. This outcome is a potential long-term consequence.
Another potential positive long-term outcome associated with improved information provision and reduced harms because of gambling products is increased trust amongst gamblers in the gambling industry.
As reported in our quarterly telephone survey, the level of trust in gambling amongst those that reported gambling in the past 12 months increased significantly in 2021, though the proportion that do trust the industry is still low. The observed increase in 2021 cannot be attributed to the game design changes which were only introduced towards the end of 2021. This outcome is a potential long-term consequence and attribution to any single factor is always likely to be difficult.
Figure 6: How far do you agree that in this country, gambling is conducted fairly and can be trusted?
| Statement | September 2021 (percentage) | December 2021 (percentage) | March 2022 (percentage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| How far do you agree or disagree that in this country, gambling is conducted fairly and can be trusted? | 32% | 32% | 36% |
| Base size (individuals) | 1,111 | 1,023 | 2,042 |
Safer gambling measures Next section
Reduced 'problem gambling' rates
Last updated: 8 June 2023
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