Glasgow’s groundbreaking gambling survey reveals new data on behaviours and consequences

Experts at the University of Glasgow have contributed to a groundbreaking survey, the first in fourteen years, offering in-depth insights into gambling behaviors. This survey highlights participation rates, types of gambling activities, reasons for gambling, and the impact on individuals and their close relations.

The first annual report of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB) was launched by the Gambling Commission and produced by the National Centre for Social Research and the University of Glasgow.

The GSGB is set to become one of the largest surveys of its kind in the world, with responses from 9,804 people that are expected to increase to around 20,000 by next year.

Professor Heather Wardle, co-director of Gambling Research Glasgow based at the University of Glasgow, was lead author for the study. She said: “The new GSGB is hugely significant. We know from our research – and the stories we hear from those with lived experience – that gambling harms don’t just affect the individual who gambles, but the people they are close to, and can lead to severe consequences for their loved ones.

“Thanks to the GSGB, we now have the first ever data on the breadth and depth of adverse consequences people experience because of someone else’s gambling, demonstrating the impact gambling can have on relationships and on health and wellbeing.

“Our data also shows that people who take part in activities like online slots or casino games are over five times more likely than average to experience adverse consequences from their gambling; these patterns replicate findings from our recent global review of gambling behaviours showing that globally, 15.8% of those who play online casino or slots experience gambling disorder.

“Data in this report represents the first year of a new baseline, against which future changes can be compared and as such will prove invaluable in deepening further our understanding of gambling across the country.”

Professor Patrick Sturgis, Professor of Quantitative Social Science at the London School of Economics, added: “The new design of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain will significantly enhance the evidence base on patterns and trends in gambling behaviour.

“With an annual sample size of 20,000 individual interviews across the nations and regions of Great Britain, the survey will provide researchers and policy makers with fine-grained and timely data across a broad range of key indicators.”