New figures released by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) confirm that the rates of problem gambling have stayed historically low at 0.2% from the start of the year to June 2022.
The latest statistics revealed the rate of problem gambling on the first half of 2022 was 0.2% - down from 0.4% the previous year and staying the same as the last published yearly figures in April 2022.
Among women, the rate of problem gambling has stayed steady and low, at 0.1%. By international standards, these rates are fairly low.
These figures are released around the time of the much-awaited discussion on the upcoming White Paper.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said:
"These newly released figures are yet again further evidence of the positive progress we have made on problem gambling, which is low by international standards and has fallen in recent times, thanks to the many initiatives we have taken including using advertising to promote safer gambling tools like deposit limits and time-outs, as well as other changes we have made to further raise standards.
Around 22.5m adults in the UK bet each month and it is clear once again that the overwhelming majority do so perfectly safely and responsibly. However, one problem gambler is one too many and there is no room for complacency. That's why our work continues to raise standards across the regulated industry, in marked contrast to dangers posed the unsafe, unregulated and growing online black market.
The latest problem gambling figures will come as a blow to anti-gambling prohibitionists who like to vastly overstate the issues to suit their efforts to treat gambling like tobacco, not like alcohol, but it also provides food for thought for new ministers considering a white paper this autumn. We look forward to the white paper as an opportunity to drive further changes, but the new government should be guided by evidence and seek to carefully target future measures on problem gamblers and those at risk - not intrude on the perfectly safe enjoyment of millions of punters who's choice of leisure does so much to support jobs and the economy, as well as providing a lifeline for sports like racing."
About Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)
Established in 2019, the Betting and Gaming Council is a single industry body that raises standards, creates a culture of safer gambling, and builds public and institutional trust in the diverse leisure and entertainment industry within the UK.
Source:
https://bettingandgamingcouncil.com/news/new-regulator-figures
Image: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15929
