Gambling Addiction Rates in the UK Are Close to 2.7% | Is This Percentage Real?!

In late 2022, GambleAware published a new report stating that the actual number of addiction problem gamblers in the UK is closer to 2.7% of the adult population. However, this number may be much higher considering that the survey included a very small group of gamblers.

In fact, gambling addiction remains a major problem in the UK for which no effective treatment has been found. During the period 2020-2022, the UKGC took a lot of measures to reduce the gambling addiction rates in the UK. Which includes setting limits on players’ bets, banning credit card gambling, forcing gambling sites to integrate with GamStop. And banning gambling ads in transportation, and preventing sports betting not on gamstop providers from sponsoring football clubs. However, despite all these crackdowns, rates of gambling addiction in the UK are rising, not falling!

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According to the latest GambleAware survey, approximately 1.4 million people in the UK or 2.7% of the adult population. Were found to be compulsive gamblers. Despite the due consideration given to this survey, many experts believe that compulsive gambling rates in the UK are much higher than stated!

Why Do Experts Question the Accuracy of Gambling Addiction Surveys?

Many players consider gambling a stigma and therefore do not like to participate in surveys related to gambling in the first place, which means that this category is definitely not included in gambling serveys!

On the other hand, the GambleAware survey mainly focuses on proving gambling addiction based on Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) in the first place. This means that it turns a blind eye to players who have not yet developed a full-fledged gambling addiction and vulnerable groups.

The GambleAware report stated that 7% of the adult population in the UK has been negatively affected by a gambling problem. Which equals 3.6 million people. While the report stated that 1.4 million people have been negatively affected indirectly by a gambling problem. For example, as a result of a spouse or partner being a compulsive gambler.

How Can Gambling Addiction Behaviors Be Detected?

A team of experts believes that banks could develop a simple algorithm that analyzes an individual's deposit behaviour. For example, if a player uses all available credit on a debit card. Then, starts using credit card balance, then another credit card, and so on, that means that he initially intended to deposit a certain amount. But could not stop and deposited more and more money until He lost everything he had. However, it is very difficult for banks to intervene in such issues since they are required to enforce the User Account Confidentiality Protection Act.

In a related context, The Wall Street Journal published a report on computer scientists who developed computer models. That can detect compulsive gambling patterns and automatically forbid them from placing more bets!

GambleAware Admits Its Statistics Are Inaccurate!

GambleAware Trustee Professor Patrick Sturgess said: “It's very likely that statistics will not be accurate when it comes to compulsive gambling; simply because no one would be happy to have an opinion on how his live ha been ruined.”

Then he said: “Awareness campaigns must work in a total immersion manner, that is, they reach all segments of society. For example, years ago we believed that women were somehow immune from gambling addiction. But today, statistics prove to us that women can also be addicted. We have to adapt our campaigns taking into account that anyone can be addicted to gambling, even children and teenagers”.

How Do Survey Modes Affect Estimates of the Prevalence of Problem Gambling?

All research institutions admit that they are unable to provide accurate statistics on problem gambling in the UK.

Indeed, the clarity of the survey influences estimates of gambling prevalence as recent general population. Surveys have produced very variable estimates of the extent of problem gambling in the UK, ranging from 0.4% to 2.7% among adults.

Certainly, this level of inaccuracy about the level of problem gambling creates barriers for legislators. Policy makers, and those who plan to provide treatment and support services to individuals affected by problem gambling.

Uncertainty also extend to understanding the causes of compulsive gambling. For example, in the beginning of 2020, it was believed that the Corona pandemic would cause a decrease in the players’ deposits. But what happened was exactly the opposite as the number of gamblers in the UK almost doubled! See also the real money brands with high stakes here.