Problem gambling has recently become a serious problem not only in the UK, but also on a global scale. When it comes to the UK, the number of individuals suffering from gambling addictions has considerably risen over the last few years, with the local Government and charitable authorities focused on problem gambling trying to tackle it.
The leading UK non-profit organisation GambleAware has presented a report dedicated to some habits of gambling addicts. The research was carried out by the accountancy firm PwC.
According to the charity organisation, the findings included in the report would be quite helpful to iGaming and online betting companies, as the latter would become more aware of identifying and protection of more vulnerable individuals, who are put at greater risk of developing gambling addictions.
Still, the charity does not recommend ways in which companies should deal with such gamblers and actually protect them from losing control over their gambling habits.
GambleAware Latest Report’s Findings
Currently, online gambling accounts for approximately 40% of the annual UK industry’s revenue estimated to about £15 billion. Over 10,000 online customers of leading operators, such as William Hill, bet365, Ladbrokes, etc. have taken part in the study, allowing campaigners to get access to their data for the study’s goals.
The recent report by GambleAware revealed some of the gambling habits of players classified as gambling addicts. As it became clear from the leading UK charity organisation’s report, people who suffer from online gambling problems spend about £98 on a daily basis. In comparison, players who are not considered at risk, spend an average of £14.
Also, problem gamblers are used to placing up to 90 bets daily and are more likely to do that over the night, according to the information included in the new GambleAware report. The information shared in the report revealed that problem gamblers who took part in the study would usually play between midnight and 4:00 AM throughout the week.
Also, young, unmarried men who do not have a job but are looking for one are considered to be most vulnerable and most likely to develop a problem.
On the other hand, those who are not described as gambling addicts normally place between two and seven bets a day when playing. Players who are not at risk also preferred to place bets on Saturday, rather than over the week, unlike problem gamblers.
Campaigners’ Opinion
According to some parties who have taken part in GambleAware’s campaign, online gambling operators had been not efficient enough when addressing the issue of problem gamblers.
The Labour MP for Swansea East Carolyn Harris commented that the inconvenient truth for iGaming operators was the fact that a massive part of their revenue is generated from players suffering from problem gambling behaviour. She reminded that problem gamblers bet an average of £98 on a daily basis when they bet, which is far more than the amount of £14m placed by individuals who are not at risk.
According to Ms. Harris it was not surprising that such companies were not very active in identifying and protecting gambling addicts, as it was not in their commercial interest to do so. She also suggested that the UK Government should consider a reduction of the maximum stakes online once it is done with the review of the controversial fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) due in October.
In GambleAware’s opinion, on the other hand, its latest research would enable companies with the chance to get immediately involved whenever a player starts gambling in a risky way online, no matter if they use a computer, smartphone or other mobile device. Companies would be also able to take certain measures, such as sending instant messages to customers at risk, or even freeze their accounts temporarily.
- Author
Daniel Williams
