GambleAware Study Showed a Low Percentage of Taking Advantages of National Treatment Services

GambleAware and YouGov are the two well-known organizations in protecting players from legal age to gambling responsibly. They recently conducted new research regarding how many percentages of problem gamblers in the UK look for help at the country’s National Gambling Treatment Service. 

The result is quite disappointing as there is less than 1% taking advantage of this service to prevent gambling harm. It has also raised a warning regarding gambling and social responsibility for both operators and affiliates who do marketing every now and then. 

In detail, the survey was conducted via the online form with more than 18 thousand adults involved. Those participants were collected by age, gender, UK region, NRS social grade, and ethnic group. More than 50% of gamblers claimed that they have participated in gambling in the prior 12 months due to social distancing during the COVID-19. 

Which Activities Do They Participate in the Most?

Through the data collected over the years, most UK players participating in gambling through forms such as lotteries, scratch cards, online betting on sports, or online casino games have increased quite largely. The UK national lottery occupied 44% of participants which indicates an increase of 41% compared to the previous year. Online casino and sports betting also increased by 11.8% and 3.6% respectively.

The proportion of scores on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) of risk for gambling addiction also increased by 12.7% of adults. This problem is considered by analysts to have a significant impact on the safety of gambling and the welfare of gamblers in the UK. 

2.8% of adults in this country are considered problem gamblers. This number has increased to 2.4% from last year. The problem of gambling addiction also shows that there is a significant relationship between the occupation and gender of gamblers. Research in 2021 also shows that the prevalence of gambling addiction is higher in men than in women Especially, those who are doing manual jobs and ethnic minorities are often vulnerable when engaging in gambling activities.

On the contrary, 6% of women often develop this gambling disorder when influenced by a gambling activity by someone.

Conclusion by Experts

Recognizing that the problem is becoming more and more serious, Dr. Hilary Jones said that agencies, as well as organizations, should work together to promote propaganda and measure the harms of gambling in order to seek incentives for those who are affected. influence to seek treatment.

GambleAware CEO Zoë Osmond stated that the National Gambling Handling Service has partnered with the NHS and other organizations to provide free, confidential, efficient, and easily accessible support to all who are having problems with gambling addiction. Although the number of people the organization has helped has surpassed 200,000 in the past six years, it will strive to create safe playing fields for everyone.

Read more: GamCare notes a 6% increase in the number of women seeking gambling support