Having survived two years of a global pandemic that forced populations across the globe to retreat into their homes and away from public spaces, the world is finally beginning to emerge from the aftermath of COVID-19. That is not to say that the world hasn’t changed dramatically throughout life under lockdown.
From baking sourdough to DIY and language learning, people looked for productive and fun ways to fill up their days while living in relative isolation. Both gaming and gambling saw a growth in popularity.
In addition to experienced gamblers and avid gamers, we also saw a large number of novices take to iGaming portals and online casinos as a form of entertainment. This resulted in gambling being one of the industries that thrived despite the economic downturn during this period.
Online casinos also saw value in the opportunity this captive new audience presented by offering special bonuses and features to entice new customers to sign up to their portals. And with such exciting incentives in play, it was no surprise that so many people were willing to try their luck.
The dangers of gambling addiction are no great secret. Stories of people squandering their family’s wealth, getting into debt and destroying their jobs prospects and relationships are heard on the grapevine. However, in the past, we’ve always been led to believe that gambling addiction is an issue that affects a small minority of people. But data now shows that may not be the case.
GambleAware Reveal Publishes Worrying Data
According to a recent survey conducted by GambleAware, problem gambling is a more widespread issue than previously reported.
Newly released data from the Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey for 2021 carried out by YouGov, GambleAware demonstrated that the harms of gambling affect an estimated 1.4 million adults in the UK.
GambleAware’s CEO Zoe Osmond described some of the measures in place to assist those experiencing problems related to gambling by making the following statement: “For many years, the National Gambling Treatment Service has been working in partnership with the NHS and other organisations to provide free, confidential support that is effective and easy to access.”
Osmond then went on to talk about the impact that these organisations were having in terms of assisting those struggling with gambling-related issues. She also mentioned how much more work was needed to understand the true nature of the problem and the number of unseen victims of gambling addiction that required support.
She said:
“While we’re proud to have enabled over 200,000 people over the past six years to get the help they need, we know there are many more out there who also need help. Our message to anyone struggling or worried about their loved ones is that you are not alone.”
Osmond concluded her statement by encouraging people not to be afraid to reach out to support if they felt that gambling was consuming their life: “If gambling is taking up too much of your life, call the helpline or use the online chat, both available 24/7, and speak to an expert today.”
Key Findings From The Survey
The key findings from YouGov’s survey clearly documented the extent of gambling-related problems. For instance, the survey revealed that an astound 59 per cent of British adults reported participating in some form of gambling activity over the course of the previous year. This report estimated that this equated to over 30 million adults in the UK.
What’s more, over 23 million UK adults, 46 per cent of those surveyed, revealed that they had partaken in some form of gambling over the last four weeks.
When these findings were analysed alongside the Problem Gambling Severity Index classification that is used to measure gambling risks in combination with public ethnicity classifications from the UK Census, GambleAware stated that 12.7 per cent (6.5 million people) of UK adults scored one or more on the scale.
Compared to findings from previous years, this figure experience a small rise from 11.8% in 2020. However, when analysed alongside 2019 figures which provide a more accurate parallel, the percentage of adults scoring one or more on the PSGI actually decreased from 13.2 per cent.
Within the 12.7 per cent, GambleAware’s survey stated that 2.8 per cent of people were deemed to be problem gamblers. In other words, people with a PGSI score of 8 or more. A further 2.9 per cent scored between three and seven on the PGSI scale are were classed as moderate-risk gamblers. The remaining 7 per cent of those surveyed scored between one and two and were deemed to be low-risk.
Concluding Thoughts
While the figures emerging from GambleAware’s data certainly provide food for thought regarding the scale of the gambling problem in the UK, The Betting and Gaming Council has declared that they do not recognize the results of the survey instead opt to cite recent research from the Gambling Commission.
In short, whether or not the institutions involved in the gambling industry take the GambleAware survey’s data as gospel, it provides some revealing insights into the prevalence of gambling in British society and the impact it is having on those partaking in gambling activities.
