BGC: “New regulatory figures confirm problem gambling rates remain low in the UK”

 The BGC underlines that the latest statistics showed the rate of problem gambling in the year to June 2022 was 0.2 per cent – down from 0.4 per cent the year previous and remaining the same as the last published annualized figures in April 2022. Figures that according to the BGC chief executive Michael Dugher "represent a blow to anti-gambling prohibitionists who like to grossly exaggerate problems."

In the specific case of women, the rate of problem gambling among women have remained steady, and low, at 0.1 per cent. These rates are low by international standards.

We should note that these figures are published around the time of much discussion about the forthcoming white paper which has been supported by UK industry and which BGC has long campaigned for.

In this sense, the BGC explains in a press release that it is essential that no action moves any of the 22.5 million regular punters away from the regulated industry and into the arms of the unsafe, unregulated and growing gambling black market online.


BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “These newly released figures are yet again further evidence of the positive progress we have made on problem gambling, which is low by international standards and has failed in recent times, thanks to the many initiatives we have taken including using advertising to promote safer gambling tools like deposit limits and time-outs, as well as other changes we have made to further raise standards".

Likewise, and demonstrating the industry's commitment, he stated: "one problem gambler is one too many and there is no room for complacency. That's why our work continues to raise standards across the regulated industry, in marked contrast to dangers posed the unsafe, unregulated and growing online black market.

“We look forward to the white paper as an opportunity to drive further changes, but the new government should be guided by evidence and seek to carefully target future measures on problem gamblers and those at risk - not intrude on the perfectly safe enjoyment of millions of punters who's choice of leisure does so much to support jobs and the economy, as well as providing a lifeline for sports like racing”, he added.