'It's vital that policy remains proportionate' - industry body reiterates concerns that official gambling statistics produce 'inflated' figures
The Betting and Gaming Council warns that official gambling statistics are inflated, potentially leading to disproportionate regulations.Summary
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has expressed renewed concerns regarding the accuracy of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), arguing that its methodology oversamples gamblers and produces inflated figures for problem gambling. While the Gambling Commission defends the GSGB as a vital research tool, the BGC points to NHS data showing significantly lower rates of problem gambling, suggesting that current statistics may lead to unnecessarily harsh regulations, such as strict affordability checks.
The GSGB's third annual report indicates that 2.4% of adults show signs of problem gambling, a figure the BGC claims is disproportionately high compared to other studies. Meanwhile, the Gambling Commission maintains that the survey provides essential insights into gambling trends and motivations.
Additionally, the BGC warned that increasing taxes on remote gaming could drive consumers toward the illegal black market. Projections suggest the illegal online betting market could grow from 10% in 2025 to 22% by 2031, potentially increasing consumer risk due to a lack of regulatory protections.
(Source：Racing Post)