UKGC data: UK problem gambling rate falls to 0.3%

The rate of problem gambling in the UK has decreased year-on-year (YoY), according to the latest data from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

The overall problem gambling rate fell from 0.6% in September 2020 to 0.3% in September 2021. Additionally, the moderate risk rate decreased from 1.2% to 0.7%.

Elsewhere, overall participation in gambling remained stable at 42%, while online gambling participation rose slightly from 23% to 25%. Retail gambling fell 5% YoY to 24%.

The data was collected as part of the UKGC’s quarterly phone survey, which is conducted by Yonder to understand the levels of consumption in the UK.

Reacting to the latest data, Betting and Gaming Council CEO Michael Dugher championed the work the regulated industry had done so far but insisted that more needed to be done.

He said: “Since being established in 2019, we have worked tirelessly to drive up standards in the regulated betting and gaming industry and promote safer gambling.

“One problem gambler is one too many however, and we are determined to keep up the momentum in the months and years ahead.

“As we continue to make progress on problem gambling and drive ever higher standards on safer gambling in the regulated sector, it’s vital we don’t do anything that drives people to the unsafe, unregulated black market online, which has none of the protections or safer gambling interventions that we see with licensed operators,” he added.

The UKGC data was based on a nationally representative sample of 4,005 adults aged 16 and over who were interviewed via telephone in December 2020 and March, June and September of 2021.