Prize draws from MacDonalds fuelling rise in gambling problems

There has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing problems with gambling, a new report has revealed.

GambleAware publish annual reports on treatment of gambling related harms and their latest report for 2024 shows 16% of gamblers experience some kind of gambling related harm.

This higher incidence of gambling-related problems has been largely driven by men aged 18-34.

Prize draws such as Omaze and Macdonald's Monopoly are 'fuelling gambling problems' according to GambleAware.

The survey also showed high support for stronger regulation on gambling advertising, including a ban on adverts pre-watershed and at sports events.

Children's exposure to gambling ads was judged as especially concerning. Betting companies were seen as engaging young audiences through social media content and gaming content that is similar to gambling experiences.

The research was conducted using YouGov's online panel which consists of 400,000 active panel members who are signed up to do surveys in the UK.

Responding to the findings, Gambling Policy Lead at CARE, Tim Cairns, said:

“Demand for treatment for gambling related harms has skyrocketed over the past five years.

“But our current laws are hopelessly out of date. There are too many loopholes and the truth is they were drawn up in a completely different era.

“The prize draws this report from GambleAware refers to are just one example.

“We have an analogue gambling law for a digital age. The results are clear to see.

“It’s time for the talk from politicians about reforming gambling legislation to shift a gear into action.

“Tougher levies for gambling firms, stricter controls on advertising, treating gambling related harms as a genuine public health issue and banning loot boxes are but some of the changes we would like to see.

“The public are onside and want to see more restrictions on gambling. It was the Labour Government in 2005 that passed the gambling law currently in place.

“It would be fitting if the current Labour Government took immediate steps to improve it.”