UKGC Publishes its Latest Findings

Problem gambling rates amongst many young people based in the United Kingdom have now more than tripled in 2022, according to recently published data by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

The UKGC has released its annual research, which goes until September 2022. The Gambling Authority found that there has been an alarming increase in problem gambling rates amongst 16 to 24-year-olds when compared to the statistics from the previous year.

The problem gambling rate now stands at 1.4%, which is a considerable increase when compared to 0.4% in 2021. This statistic is four times higher than the national average of 0.3%.

The UK Gambling Commission has stated that this figure of 1.4% is the highest ever on record and showcases a worrying trend for the gambling industry.

Online casino operators have taken all the necessary steps to boost their safe and responsible gambling strategies in recent months. Companies such as Flutter have applied a £500 deposit limit for players who are under the age of 25 in the UK.

Since the publication of the white paper regarding the Gambling Act 2005 review is still up in the air, both the gambling industry and players are left in a state of limbo as it is still unclear what will happen next. With Rishi Sunak now appointed as the UK’s Prime Minister, there is bound to be more cabinet reshuffles, which will delay things further.

The UKGC also found out that online gambling participation rates have also increased significantly. More than 27% of respondents have confirmed that they have participated in some form of online gambling in the previous four weeks leading up to September 2022. This is also a significant increase from 18.4% when compared to 2018.

Furthermore, the percentage of players gambling more than twice a week has also increased from 20.4% to 22%. Similarly, players who gamble once-a week now amount to 30% of the respondents when compared to 28.4% from the previous year.

Nuno Albuquerque, UK Addiction Treatment Group consultant treatment lead, said: “Online gambling is on the rise yet again, and we’re still waiting for the government’s Gambling Act 2005 reform white paper – the situation is becoming dangerous.

“Yes, there has been political turmoil, but we really need to see the outcomes of this long-awaited reform so that we can better protect those who gamble.”