The Gambling Commission has released the first annual report from the Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB). This comprehensive survey, featuring responses from 9,804 participants, is set to expand to 20,000 by next year.
Participation and Activity Levels
48% of adults aged 18 and over participated in some form of gambling in the past four weeks.
Among those who gambled, the mean number of gambling activities was 2.2 within the same period.
These figures highlight the widespread nature of gambling and the variety of activities people engage in.
Attitudes and Motivations
41% of adults who gambled in the past year rated their most recent gambling experience with a positive score between 6 and 10.
The most common motivation for gambling, cited by 86% of participants, was the chance to win big money.
This data underscores the allure of potential large winnings as a primary driver for gambling behavior.
Problem Gambling Indicators
2.5% of respondents had a Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) score of 8 or more. This score indicates a high level of gambling-related issues.
However, Professor Patrick Sturgis has cautioned that the new methodology might overstate the true level of gambling and gambling harm in the population.
This insight calls for careful consideration when interpreting the data, especially regarding problem gambling prevalence.
Methodological Advancements
The survey uses a push-to-web mixed mode design and random probability sampling from the Postcode Address File.
This approach is designed to maintain high standards and enhance the evidence base on gambling patterns and trends.
With an annual sample size of 20,000 interviews across Great Britain, the survey promises to deliver fine-grained, timely data that is invaluable for researchers and policymakers.
Expert Opinions
Tim Miller, the Executive Director of Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, emphasized the importance of this new survey:
“One of our aims as a regulator is to ensure we gather the best possible evidence on gambling – and today’s publication is the next significant step forward in our journey on creating a robust source of evidence for gambling in Great Britain. Data in this report represents the first year of a new baseline, against which future changes can be compared and as such will prove invaluable in deepening further our understanding of gambling across the country.”
Professor Patrick Sturgis, a Professor of Quantitative Social Science at the London School of Economics, also highlighted the survey’s potential:
“The new design of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain will significantly enhance the evidence base on patterns and trends in gambling behaviour. With an annual sample size of 20,000 individual interviews across the nations and regions of Great Britain, the survey will provide researchers and policymakers with fine-grained and timely data across a broad range of key indicators. Using a push-to-web mixed mode design and random probability sampling from the Postcode Address File, the survey implements state-of-the-art methodology to a very high standard.”
Guidance on Data Use
The Gambling Commission has issued guidance on how to interpret and use the survey data. They recommend using the data with caution, especially when estimating PGSI scores and understanding the prevalence of gambling consequences among adults in Great Britain. This caution is due to the potential overestimation risks highlighted by the new methodology.
The first annual report of the GSGB marks a significant milestone in understanding gambling behaviors and problems in Great Britain. With robust methodologies and a growing sample size, the survey is set to become a critical tool for monitoring and analyzing gambling trends. The insights gained from this data will be crucial for developing informed policies and interventions aimed at addressing gambling-related issues in the population.