MORE GAMBLING PREVALENCE STUDY LEAKS

7 September 2007

Now The Observer seems to have pre-release information


It may only be due for publication later this (September) month, but the results already appear to have been widely leaked from the Gambling Prevalence research study among problem gamblers carried out by Birmingham University academics working with the National Centre for Social Research.

Commissioned by the UK Gambling Commission, the study is a follow up to a similar project carried out some eight years ago which found that problem gambers made up between 0.6 and 0.8 percent of the adult population. According to several news sources, the new level is nearer 2 percent of the adult population.

Over the weekend several mainstream British newspapers have carried stories on the study, revealing some of the findings.

The Observer was one of the newspapers covering the gambling story extensively, with quotes from leading British operators, and reporting that the studies indicate an upswing in online gambling, with nearly a million 'regular online gamblers' in Britain, accounting for almost a third of the European total. On average, these individuals spend about GBP 1 000 a year on their habit, which means that gamblers now spend more than GBP 1 billion a year online.

The Times says that the study was timed to coincide with the advent of the new gambling dispensation, which took effect in the UK from September 1st, and that the results are due for publication later in September.

It comments that the study is expected to show a sharp increase in the number of problem gamblers in Britain from the current level of about 300 000.

"Bookmakers and casino operators fear that, despite the government’s protestations to the contrary, it will seize on any increase [in problem gambling] to clamp down on the industry or hit it with punitive tax rises, The Times reports quoting an unidentified industry executive as saying “It’s time to put our tin helmets on."

The Times piece goes on to assert that the UK gambling industry has reason to be worried. "The new act was conceived as a liberalising piece of legislation, but as it progressed through parliament it was watered down considerably. Plans for the much-hyped “super-casinos” were scrapped, one of the first decisions of Gordon Brown’s government. The fate of 16 other proposed new casinos hangs in the balance; and in his final budget last March, the then chancellor hit casinos with a big rise in gaming duty," the author reveals.

Ian Burke, chief executive of Rank Group, owner of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, said: “There have been mixed messages from government.” Other executives go further, lamenting that they have been used as a “political football”.

Last week, in an interview with the BBC, culture minister Gerry Sutcliffe stated that he would find unacceptable any rise in problem gambling, before officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport intervened to say that the impending prevalence study would be used as “a base-line” by which future levels of problem gambling could be judged.

That the study will show an increase in addiction seems certain. When the last such survey was conducted, internet gaming was in its infancy and few people had heard of online poker – let alone played it. In the past eight years there has also been greater awareness of helplines and charities devoted to gambling addiction.

None of this is likely to go down well with certain sections of the press, and gaming bosses fear a heavy anti-gambling campaign in the media could give the government ammunition for a clampdown, the Times article continues, quoting Lady Penny Cobham, chairman of the British Casino Association who said: “If some quarters of the press come out virulently [against gambling], it won’t take much to unsteady ministers on the receiving end of unwelcome bad publicity."

It may be a forlorn hope but the industry – which employs 200 000 people in Britain and accounts for 1.2 percent of GDP – would like to see some consistency from government. Neil Goulden, chief executive of Gala Coral, which owns bingo halls, casinos and betting shops, said: “We all need some continuity to be able to plan our businesses.”

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