Report on Youth Gambling by UKGC Paints an Inaccurate Picture

According to a new report published by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), children in the country are gambling more than they used to. However, experts believe that the findings are mildly exaggerated.

Earlier this week, the UKGC came out with the Young People and Gambling 2018 Report, which claimed that around 14% (450,000 individuals) of children aged 11 to 16 spent their money on gambling activity, just a week prior to taking part in the survey.

The reported figure is 2% higher than what was reported in 2017. However, the UKGC itself stated that the number was very low when historical standards were taken into consideration. For instance, in 2011, it was found that 23% of youth in the UK indulged in gambling.

Similarly, the new study also pointed out that 1.7% of the surveyed youths were problem gamblers, an increase of 0.9% compared to 2017, and that 2.2% were at risk of becoming problem gamblers, up from 1.3% in 2017.

However, it must be considered that a larger number of respondents had taken part in the survey this year, which allowed the UKGC to acquire a more accurate picture.

As for children who spent money gambling in the week prior to the survey, 39% had spent £2 or less, while 29% spent £10 or less. An estimated 15% stated that they have spent over £50, which placed the weekly average at £16.

However, spending, in this context, does not necessarily equate to losses. The consideration of potential winnings was left to the respondents’ interpretation.

According to those who reported gambling last week, 6% engaged in private bets with friends, 4% engaged in purchasing National Lottery scratch cards, 3% used fruit machines at pubs/arcades, and another 3% reported playing cards (for cash) with friends.

Only a mere 1% reported that they participated in real money gambling, online or otherwise.

Minors are prohibited from accessing fruit machines at pubs/arcades. However, older reports indicate that some pubs/arcades were failing to enforce the rules. Though the maximum stake permitted is £1, the UKGC warned that not all pubs/arcades were adhering to this.

The statistics for online gambling participation among youth fell by a point to 6% in the last 12 months. It has been reported that 2/3rds of participants had engaged in online gambling with their parents’ permission.

In conclusion, the UKGC seems to have gone overboard with its goal to protect children from gambling. However, if the above statement is to be believed, the onus is not to be placed exclusively on the operators – parents/guardians have a role to play as well.