The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) once again confirmed its continued commitment to tackling increasing gambling harm at a time when analysts of existing market data have warned that there is a link between problem gambling and suicide.
The reports regarding problem gambling in the country have been unveiled as part of the research programme of the UKGC’s National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms. They were commission by the largest charity organisation which helps gambling addicts in the country, GambleAware. According to the published findings, there is a connection between gambling addiction and suicidal thoughts and/or attempts.
The research revealed by the main gambling regulatory body of the UK was based on the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey’s findings in 2007. The results of the survey showed that 5% of problem gamblers had tried to kill themselves in the previous year. Also, 5% of the people who had made a suicide attempt in the previous year were gambling addicts, and a further 5% of them were classified as “at-risk” gamblers.
The trend of a more serious relationship between problem gambling and suicide persisted after other factors, such as substance abuse and mental health, were taken into account. Furthermore, 19% of gambling addicts confessed that they had thought about taking their own lives in the previous year as well.
UKGC Undertakes Active Measures to Prevent Gambling-Related Harm
So far, the UKGC has undertaken some measures to prevent harm. As part of its efforts to tackle spreading gambling addiction, it has been imposing stricter regulatory requirements on gambling operators, as far as at-risk customers’ identification and interaction is concerned.
The UK gambling regulatory body also took measures in terms of enforcement and compliance. It carried out more than 3,000 compliance assessments in three years to make sure that local gambling companies are protecting their customers the way they are supposed to. In addition, it took action whenever gambling operators and their executives failed to protect customers from gambling-related harm. A total amount of £19.6 million was imposed in penalties for violations of social responsibility rules and failures of anti-money laundering regulation.
To better understand how gambling fits into people’s lives we commissioned in-depth qualitative research, considering general lifestyles, hobbies and routines. The findings will be shared in a series of blogs, the first of which can be viewed here: https://t.co/Rvpcw8pjrF pic.twitter.com/J0ZKJgDx11
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) July 18, 2019
The UKGC is also engaged in evaluating how products are offered and marketed to customers and taking the necessary action in case that a high-risk product needs to be removed from the market. In the last few years, bolstering age and identity verification measures has been among the top priorities of the Commission, especially considering the fact that more underage individuals get involved in gambling operations.
The gambling regulator has also called for evidence on a potential ban on the use of credit cards for online gambling transactions.
The Commission has been known for some of the partnerships it has made to ensure effective regulatory action. The UKGC is working in collaboration with some partners to identify how the recommendations for greater support of more vulnerable consumers could be implemented. The regulatory body has also been working to get a better understanding of the problem so that it is more efficient in preventing suicides linked to gambling. In the past few years, it has joined forces with charities in the financial sector to make sure it has enough funding to further explore the role which banks and other financial institutions can have in identifying and supporting people at risk.
- Author
Daniel Williams
