The Gambling Commission has released its inaugural annual report on gambling behavior in Great Britain, marking a significant step towards understanding the complexities of gambling habits. This extensive survey, produced by the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Glasgow, aims to establish a comprehensive baseline for future comparisons.
Key Insights and Findings
The first report draws on responses from 9,804 participants, with the sample size expected to expand to around 20,000 by next year. This robust dataset provides detailed insights into gambling behaviors, attitudes, and the impact on individuals and their communities.
Participation Rates
- Overall Participation: 48% of adults aged 18 and over engaged in some form of gambling in the past four weeks.
- Excluding Lottery: Participation drops to 27% when lottery draws are excluded.
- Gender Differences: Male participants (52%) were more likely than female participants (44%) to have gambled in the past four weeks.
Experiences and Motivations
- Positive Experiences: 41% of adults who gambled in the past 12 months rated their last gambling experience positively, while 21% rated it negatively and 37% were neutral.
- Motivations for Gambling: The primary reasons for gambling included:
- The chance of winning big money (86%)
- Fun (70%)
- Making money (58%)
- Excitement (55%)
Consequences of Gambling
- Problem Gambling Severity: Males and individuals aged 18-34 had higher Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores.
- High-Risk Activities:
- Those betting on non-sports events in person had PGSI scores of 8 or more at a rate over 9 times higher than the general gambling population.
- Participants gambling on online slots had PGSI scores of 8 or more at a rate over 6 times higher.
Methodology and Future Comparisons
The survey employs a push-to-web mixed mode design and random probability sampling from the Postcode Address File, ensuring high-quality and representative data. It’s important to note that estimates from this survey are not directly comparable to previous surveys due to methodological differences and a larger sample size.
Tim Miller, Executive Director of Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, stated: “One of our aims as a regulator is to ensure we gather the best possible evidence on gambling – and today’s publication is the next significant step forward in our journey on creating a robust source of evidence for gambling in Great Britain.”
Professor Patrick Sturgis from the London School of Economics commented: “The new design of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain will significantly enhance the evidence base on patterns and trends in gambling behavior.”
Guidance on Data Interpretation
The Gambling Commission has issued guidance to ensure the correct interpretation of the new statistics. The Commission emphasizes that this report’s estimates should not be compared with those from previous surveys to assess trends over time. The Commission remains committed to preventing the misuse of these statistics and ensuring their accurate representation.
This first annual report sets a new benchmark for understanding gambling behavior in Britain, providing a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers. The Commission will continue to refine and expand its evidence base to support informed decision-making in the regulation of gambling.