The UK Gambling Commission reports that problem gambling rates remain at 0,2%.

Problem gambling levels in the UK have remained relatively stable at 0,2% of the population, according to a quarterly survey of 4.018 respondents conducted by the GB Gambling Commission.

This dataset is collected through telephone interviews using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), which consists of three questions scored between "never" and "almost always" that are asked to people who have gambled in the last 12 months.

For the population as a whole, the level of problematic gambling was 0,2% in the six months ending June 30. This is stable compared to the year-to-date level in June 2021, which was 0,4%.

Problem gambling among the men surveyed was 0,3%. This was lower than the previous year, but the Gambling Commission said the change was not statistically significant.

Problematic play remained completely level among women, staying at 0,1%.

Among young people aged 16 to 24, the level of problem gambling was 0,8%, which increased, but again the change was not statistically significant.

For the 25-34 age group, problem gambling was 0,3%, while for the 35-44 age group it was 0,2%.

None of the 45-54 age group respondents to the survey were classified as problem gamblers. In total, 596 people from this group were interviewed.

Among those aged 55-64, the total was also 0,2%. For the last group recorded – those over 65 – the percentage was 0,1%.

The research also revealed that 42,9% of all respondents had participated in at least one form of gambling in the previous four weeks.

The percentage was even higher among those aged 45-54, reaching 49,1%.

A total of 25,8% of respondents had participated in at least one form of online gaming in the previous four weeks. Again, this was most prevalent – ​​at 33,2% – among those aged 45-54.

Of the total number of respondents, 27,5% participated in the National Lottery in the last four weeks.

The Gambling Commission is planning a new methodology to measure prevalence rates and gambling problems. However, this has been criticized because the research appeared to have overestimated gamblers, which may have inflated reported harm levels. ( i-Gaming Business – Marese O'Hagan)