News
The British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007 - Gambling Commission Press Release
19 September 2007
Problem gambling has not increased, but the level remains a challenge
A report released by the Gambling Commission today reveals that problem gambling has not increased over the last eight years, despite widespread speculation to the contrary. The British Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007 provides data on gambling participation by the British public.
It shows that there has been little change to the number of problem gamblers in Britain with around 0.6% of the adult population being affected - the same percentage as in the last gambling participation survey in 1999.
This latest survey was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). Its aim is to measure participation in gambling, estimate the level of problem gambling and the factors associated with it and to explore the public’s attitude towards gambling.
Since the 1999 survey the nature of gambling in Britain has changed with an increase in the number of gambling products available. Coinciding with the survey’s publication, the new Gambling Act came into force on 1 September. This survey provides a benchmark against which to measure the impact of the new Act.
“The key message is that overall there has been surprisingly little change either in the number of gambling participants or to the number of problem gamblers since 1999,” said Peter Dean, the Gambling Commission’s Chairman.
“We remain concerned that there are still over a quarter of a million adults who are problem gamblers. The challenge, for us and for the industry, is to tackle this through the new licensing regime that has been put in place from 1 September. British-based gambling operators must now comply with strict and detailed social responsibility obligations, and we will monitor how these requirements are met.
“This survey gives us a benchmark for the future. It also provides a mass of useful data which we and the authors will be analysing further.
“The survey will be repeated in 2009/2010 and we shall then be able to assess the effect of the changes brought about by the new Gambling Act and the measures we have put in place.”
The full survey is available on the Commission’s website:
www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk