• 66% of Men Say Gambling Industry Payments to Care for Problem Gamblers Are Too low and Should be Compulsory

New research lays bare the frustration felt across Britain that the majority of people feel the gambling industry are not doing enough to help care for problem gamblers.

Leading social policy charity CARE has published ComRes polling detailing that 66% of men (61% of men and women) are unhappy with the current arrangement in which the Government encourages the gambling industry to make voluntary contributions to help care for problem gamblers. 66% of men told the ComRes poll that the level of contribution should be increased and that it should be made compulsory. The total value of such contributions last year was just £8 million – 0.06% of Gross Gambling Yield.

The polling also reveals the impact gambling is having on society with 63% of people stating that gambling is now a significant issue in Britain today. Only 15% believe it not to be a significant issue.

Shockingly the poll also shows that 14.5 million people – almost 10% of the population - know someone personally with a gambling problem.

The Government’s latest consultation on gambling closed this week, with mounting pressure from charities and MPs for action to be taken by the government to address problem gambling. CARE submitted this polling as part of its consultation response, calling on the government to take note that a clear majority of the public support proposals for the gambling industry to be required to pay more money to support problem gamblers.

CARE’s Chief Executive Nola Leach

“It’s abundantly clear that the damaging effects of problem gambling have become visible across society, with the majority of people across Britain today recognising the harm it causes and a significant proportion knowing someone directly affected. This is a real issue of public concern”

"The Government has a real opportunity now to introduce better and more robust protections and to care for those whose lives have been negatively impacted by gambling. This poll shows that majority of the public would support such action.”

“The Government of course already has the power to demand that the gambling industry pays significantly more to help those affected by problem gambling – just using the regulation making powers given ministers by Section 123 of the Gambling Act 2005.”

“It is astounding that no Minister has used this power in thirteen years despite the rise of problem gambling and the devastating impact its having in our communities. Action is long overdue.”

“It remains clear that current laws do not sufficiently protect problem gamblers, individuals, families, children and communities”

“CARE awaits the recommendations of the gambling consultation and urges the Government to swiftly implement policy that will help safeguard problem gamblers and protect those at risk of becoming addicted to gambling.”

Ends

Notes to the editor:

For more information please contact Rachael Adams on 020 7227 4731 / 07851 153693 or rachael.adams@care.org.uk

CARE gave evidence to the APPG on Gambling on 13 October 2016 where we presented evidence arguing for more robust measures to protect those at risk of problem gambling, more protections for problem gamblers and to reduce the stake of fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2.

To see more on our latest work on gambling please click here: https://care.org.uk/news/gambling

ComRes interviewed 2,036 GB adults online between 19th and 21st January 2018. Data were weighted to be representative of all British adults aged 18+ by age, gender, region and social grade. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

CARE has previously helped facilitate events in parliament where recovering problem gamblers have been able to relate to parliamentarians the devastating effects of gambling addictions on their lives and on the lives of their families.