PRESS RELEASE - For the first time the Government has publicly acknowledged the need to address concerns about the delivery of self-exclusion for problem gamblers online. The following day a survey found that one in six young men in England reported one or more of the signs of problem gambling last year.

Speaking at the end of the Second Reading debate of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill on Tuesday, the Government spokesperson in the House of Lords said that the Government would not rule out a one-stop shop self-exclusion mechanism to help online problem gamblers. Lord Gardiner of Kimble also reported that the gambling industry, including the Responsible Gambling Trust and the Remote Gambling Association, had committed “to improve co-ordination and collaboration on developing options in relation to self-exclusion.”.

Lord Morrow speaking during the Second Reading of the Government’s Gambling Bill said:

“My Lords denying online problem gamblers a credible self-exclusion mechanism is, I believe, a matter of discrimination, a matter of discrimination that exists now without the Bill before us today. Mindful of this current injustice I find it quite inconceivable that the Government should consider introducing the Bill before us today that proposes widening the scope for problem gamblers to be made aware of online gambling opportunities without at the same time providing any new compensatory help for online problem gamblers. We should at the very least provide online gamblers with a credible self-exclusion opportunity."

CARE is actively campaigning for the introduction of a national self-exclusion mechanism for online gambling, known as a one-stop-shop. Self-exclusion is currently available for people who gamble in betting shops and to those who gamble on the internet, but it does not work properly online. While problem gamblers can exclude themselves from all local betting shops for a fixed period, it is unfeasible for them to self-exclude from all the online gambling opportunities that are available.

The Health Survey for England (2012) revealed that more than one in 10 males aged between 16 and 24 admitted that when they failed to win they would chase their losses by continuing to bet more money, and one in 20 felt guilt about their habit. The charity CARE sees this as very concerning and of particular relevance to the need to provide better protections for online gamblers because online gambling is used more by those who are young.

The statistics released this week showed that among men problem gambling prevalence varied with age but was typically higher among younger age groups, decreasing as age increased.

Overall, 4.8% of men and 1.6% of women were identified as low risk gamblers and a further 1.7% of men and 0.4% of women were categorised as moderate risk gamblers according to the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Taken together with problem gambling prevalence this shows that 7.1% of men and 2.1% women were identified as at risk of harm from their gambling behaviour in the last 12 months.

Lauri Moyle, CARE’S consultant on online family safety and remote gambling, said:

“Problem gambling is a real issue for approximately 450,000 addicts in the UK. It impacts them but also their families and friends. Crippling debt, divorce and attempts at suicide are some of the effects this addiction can have. These latest figures show that a concerning number of young men are at risk of experiencing gambling-related harm.”

“Online gambling can be particularly devastating to those who struggle with addiction or compulsive play because it is so readily accessible. On this basis we firmly believe that the provision of a self-exclusion tool which works online would greatly help people who are trying to manage their addiction.”

The survey data shows that 65% of adults (almost 28 million people) in England gambled in the past year and when those who gamble only on the National Lottery draw are excluded the figure falls to 43%.

Ends

For further information please contact James Mildred on tel: 07581 153693 or email: james.mildred@care.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health Survey For England (2012) chapter on gambling behaviour can be found here: https://catalogue.ic.nhs.uk/publications/public-health/surveys/heal-surv...
2. The Telegraph reports on the Health Survey’s statistics here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10526871/Gambling-one-in-si...
3. The Second Reading debate of the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/131217-0...
4. CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) is a well-established mainstream Christian charity providing resources and helping to bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives. CARE is represented in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies, at the EU in Brussels and the UN in Geneva and New York. CARE is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales at 53 Romney Street, London, SW1P 3RF, Company No: 3481417, Charity No: 1066963 www.care.org.uk