Report
Understanding the impact of increased cost of living on gambling behaviour - Final report
Gambling Commission's research report with Yonder into the behaviours and motivations of gamblers during the current period of high cost of living in Great Britain.
Contents
- Introduction
- Methodology
- How to read this report
- Summary of findings
- Personal finances and cost of living
- Financial comfort and concerns around cost of living
- Relationship with gambling
- Impact of cost of living on gambling behaviours
- Change in gambling behaviour
- Motivations for gambling
- Conclusions
- Appendix A - Gambling activities
- Appendix B - Reading longitudinal tables
- Appendix C - Motivations for gambling – subgroup analysis by statement
Gambling is an inherent part of life
This audience is most likely to score 8 and above on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scale. Gambling is an intrinsic part of their day-to-day lives. They love to gamble for fun and for the buzz and excitement, because they think it might solve all of their problems but also because it has become a staple part of their day.
“I know that I need more money. So I think Well, how else am I going to get it other than getting a much higher paid job, or some form of extra income, there's always a thing in the back of my mind thinking, wow, I might just win a load of money.” – Female, Changed PGSI
Lucy1, 33, Operations manager “Gambling is an inherent part of my life and I would rather cut back on other things”
Lucy is a single mum who lives in Derby with her 13 year old son and works for the NHS. She has never had much financial freedom but was able to buy a house during coronavirus (COVID-19). However, since mortgage rates have increased she finds herself relying more and more on credit cards. Working for the NHS she doesn’t earn a high salary and so she resells clothing on Vinted as a side hustle income to cover extra expenses.
Currently, she is feeling very pessimistic about her finances and the future. The increases in cost of living and coronavirus forced her to make cuts on food shopping and entertainment, and is relying more on her side incomes.
During the last year, she has noticed her gambling activities have increased and that she has started to rely more on betting as a source of additional income. She has increased her spending on online bets and the number of tickets bought for competitions and the Irish lottery.
She recently had an experience where a family friend won a car in a competition. This therefore led to Lucy thinking she would be more likely to win on this type of competition compared to the National Lottery and so she started to gamble more on competitions. She is feeling anxious about money and is not feeling fully in control of her gambling, however she is not using any tools to control her spending activities.
“I would like it to come down because realistically, like I was just saying, you know regarding the mortgage payments and things like I've still got things that are pending going up, and I haven't actually got any more income coming in.”
For those gamblers who are rated 8 and above on the PGSI scale, the triggers to gamble or to experience gambling related harm are felt to have been exacerbated as a result of the increase in cost of living.
These gamblers tend to have an emotionally charged relationship with gambling whereby gambling is an outlet for their feelings and a pinnacle of hope (for example, that if they win big, all their problems will be solved). When they are feeling heightened emotions, such as stress or excitement they can project this onto their gambling and intensify their hope and belief that they could get a big win.
This period during the increased period of cost of living is causing emotions and stress to be heightened. Triggers, such as a big win, a big loss, an unexpected bill are especially impactful and can lead to more gambling or potentially harmful gambling both in an attempt to compensate financially, but also to cope emotionally.
“There's never been more serious times in the last sort of year and going forward with the cost of living and, and the way society's at the minute that we all need more money. And I think that people like me are being drawn into, you know, gambling and playing in all these competitions and stuff. Because people feel, I need more money, I need an extra source of income, I need more money, to live. And the funny thing is, even if you want money, you’ll probably be mainly paying off debts.” Female, Changed PGSI.
“June is a difficult time for me personally so I spent a bit more that way just to check out and distract myself from how I’m feeling. It's not all about the money it's a bit of a diversion. Something to do and to give me a buzz.” Male, Changed PGSI.
References
1 Names and identifying information have been changed.
Gambling because it’s fun but will make cutbacks if needed
Last updated: 25 July 2024
Show updates to this content
Formatting changes