GambleAware sheds light on household exposure to problem gambling
GambleAware has raised concerns that up to 1.65 million children are growing up in households where an adult is experiencing gambling problems.
The figure is estimated based on new YouGov data from the “Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey 2023,” commissioned by GambleAware.
The survey continues YouGov’s research on behalf of GambleAware, conducted since 2019, to explore the usage of, and reported demand for, advice, support, and treatment among those who gamble and those affected by another’s gambling.
GambleAware considers the survey’s research and insights critical for its organisation to identify gaps and needs within all forms of treatment support services for those experiencing gambling harms and to examine wider impacts.
Of particular significance, YouGov’s 2023 survey provides “first-of-its-kind data” on the legacy harms of gambling among those who have suffered from problem gambling.
Legacy harms are detailed as a key research area, as the survey reports that 7% of the adult population is identified as “affected others” (those negatively affected by another’s gambling), equating to approximately 3.6 million GB adults, with women (8% vs 6% of men) more likely to be impacted by others’ gambling.
Research indicates that “up to 1.2 million people still report the urge to gamble, and 130,000 are still experiencing harms now as a result of their previous gambling”.
The survey is conducted under a quantitative method, with a total of 18,178 adults in Great Britain surveyed, including 2,135 with a PGSI score of 1+ (“Person who is experiencing any level of problems with gambling”).
Following the survey, research is supplemented by a qualitative method, in which 30 respondents participated in 45-minute interviews, comprising 20 interviews with current gamblers and 10 with former gamblers.
Measuring problem gambling responses, the survey references the standard classification of the 9 levels of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), with each level indexed on a four-point scale, and a total score ranging from 0 to 27.
For consistency, the survey is conducted during the same time period each year to ensure reliability in year-on-year comparisons.
At a population level, research identifies that 61% of adults in Great Britain reported participating in any gambling activity in the last 12 months, equivalent to approximately 31.4 million adults. However, on a monthly basis (four-week period), the study estimates that around 47% (about 24.2 million adults) participate in gambling.
Responses show that 13.1% of adults surveyed (approximately 6.8 million GB adults) were classified as experiencing some level of gambling problems (PGSI 1+), with results indexing slightly lower than the 13.4% reported in 2022.
A breakdown of PGSI 1+ responses reveals that 2.9% of respondents were classified as experiencing “problem gambling” (PGSI 8+), and 3.5% were experiencing moderate harms, with the remaining 7% indexing at PGSI 1-2, indicating low-level harms. Among those experiencing ‘problem gambling’ (PGSI 8+), 65% reported using advice, support, or treatment, a figure that remained consistent year-on-year.
Demand for Treatment and Support services saw 23% of those experiencing any level of gambling problems (PGSI 1+) seeking access to some form of advice, support, or treatment, continuing a trend of increasing demand – 16% in 2021 and 19% in 2022. Meanwhile, for those experiencing ‘problem gambling’ (PGSI 8+), demand was significantly higher at 66%.
At the highest severity (PGSI 8+), the survey warned of an increased risk of suicidal ideation, as 44% of PGSI 8+ respondents were categorised as high risk for suicide, compared to 8% of the general population.
Following this research, GambleAware stated: “To tackle gambling harm for anyone at risk of impact across Great Britain, GambleAware has reiterated its call for a robust national prevention strategy, including increased regulation on gambling advertising such as mandatory health warnings, and a public health approach that incorporates prevention, early intervention, effective treatment, and aftercare.”
Focusing on the gambling prevalence among Children and Young People, the study concentrated on household impacts and respondents’ first experiences with gambling: “To understand more about this, this year, new questions were included in the survey to investigate the age at which someone was first negatively affected by gambling.”
Responses showed that “one in five (19%) currently affected others reported being first negatively impacted by someone’s gambling behaviour when they were under 18 years old.”
Feedback noted that the majority (74%) of those affected before the age of 18 were negatively impacted by a parent’s gambling habits.
Providing insights on impacts within households, the survey estimates that among those with gambling problems, 58% had children in their household, compared to 39% for those with any level of gambling problems (PGSI 1+).
On average, households with someone experiencing problem gambling had 1.1 children under 18, leading to an estimated 4,743,000 children affected by someone else’s gambling in the GB population.
Alongside continued, effective treatment, education, and support, GambleAware is calling for policy changes to address the normalisation of gambling in daily life and help protect children and young people.
Zoë Osmond: GambleAware
Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, said: “The figures published today in our Treatment and Support Survey highlight the impact of the normalisation of gambling across society on individuals, families, and communities.
“The research shows a concerning link between early exposure to gambling at a younger age and the risk of harms in later life, and for the first time shows the lasting impact legacy harms can have.
“Gambling harms can affect anyone, which is why it is so important that we break down the stigma associated with it and encourage people to come forward and talk about gambling harm.
“This is why we are calling for a more strategic government-led approach, greater investment in prevention and treatment programmes to address gambling harm in Great Britain, and increased regulation of gambling advertising.”
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