The relationship between gambling and crime has become the centrepiece of a new UK study. The results of the research clearly showed that increased gambling eventually leads to increased crime rates, too, but some experts believe those results may be biased.
A series of articles by Will Grimond, a data reported using information from a local charity seeking reforms in the UK – the Howard League – was published across some regional news hubs at the beginning of the week, including London World, Sussex Express, and Liverpool World.
In these articles, Mr Grimond cites data acquired from the Howard League, according to which problem gambling across the country has been associated with a wide range of criminal activity, including criminal damage, assault, and theft. The author also quotes data presented by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), according to which there were 13.4 million gamblers in the country in 2021 – a figure representing a 1.3-million increase in comparison to the number of gamblers registered in 2020.
As Casino Guardian previously reported, the nation’s gambling regulatory body has found that problem gambling is on the decline in the UK, even after an increase in gambling participation rates has been registered.
For the time being, the UK has one of the biggest gambling markets on a global scale. According to UKGC reports, problem gambling rates in the country have declined by half from 0.4% in 2020 to 0.2% in 2021.
Report States Increased Gambling Participation Rates Result in Increased Crime Rates
Mr Grimond’s articles aimed at studying the crime rates in cities across the territory of the UK. In each one, the author states the number of gambling-related crimes registered in the surrounding area over the past couple of years by using some data provided by the Howard League. The charity organisation compiled the information by asking local police forces about the number of crimes involving the word “gambling” during the aforementioned period.
Reportedly, there were 52 gambling-related crimes in Liverpool in 2019 and 2020. According to the information provided by Mr Grimond, 24 of these crimes were associated with violence against a person. He also reports there were 100 gambling-related crimes in Machester, while in Avon and Somerset Constabulary there were 65 crimes linked to gambling over the two-year period. Furthermore, Mr Grimond explained that part of the problem and the increase in crime rates originates from competent authorities’ lack of action to monitor gambling addiction. He cited data provided by the Howard League, according to which four in 10 forces are not being proactive enough on the impacts of gambling, while two in 10 only routinely check the ones who got into custody because of their harmful gambling habits.
As Casino Guardian reported, in September 2021, Public Health England provided some estimates saying that more than 2.2 million people in the country could be categorised as gambling addicts or were at risk of developing problem gambling behaviour.
According to the gambling charity Gamcare’s head of programmes, Dominique Webb, the link between crime and gambling-related harm is getting more obvious.
Regulators’ Statistics Do Not Show Clear Links between Gambling and Violent Crime
Of course, Grimond’s reports have faced opposition, too. A number of recent studies made different claims than the ones unveiled in his articles in local media hubs.
According to reports from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, the country’s total crime rate increased by 14% in 2021 in comparison to 2019. The biggest increase registered, was in cybercrime and fraud, not in violent crimes, as some of his publications claimed. The study shows that the registered incidents linked to violent crime behaviour declined by 27%.
Furthermore, another study originating from 2019, called “Crime and Gambling Disorders: A Systematic Review” has explored the factors that resulted in crimes committed by gambling addicts. According to the study, the association between violent crime and problem gambling behaviour remains unclear, with a case-by-case review required for the provision of a better understanding of gambling-related crimes.
The study specifically says that the necessary fine details are not usually provided by larger trends.
- Author
Daniel Williams
