UK Young People and Gambling Report 2018

[Mattbar]

The GC released this report on young people gambling today in the UK.

https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.u...018-Report.pdf

Looks like this could be a further problem particularly for offline gambling (scratchcards, fruit machines, lottery, betting shops, etc), more so than online gambling (only 6% profiled gambling online, even then only by using parents accounts).

The report, and associated news articles, seem to miss the one point that while the weekly percentage of young people gambling has increased by 2% on last year, up to 14%, it is down from 23% in 2011.

This also raises the age old question of who is responsible in regulating this; is it parents, the state, schools, betting companies, internet providers, a mix of all?

Interesting read none the less.

[FreerollsDB]

hopefully more taxes for gambling operators and tighter advertising laws drives gambling out of the eyes / minds of those at risk. i guess gambling/addiction education trumps everything in the long run tho.

[DanHorvat]

Of 11-16 year olds, only 4% have smoked cigarettes and 2% took drugs last week? I find that hard to believe. Kind of makes the entire report seem fabricated. You know, when you're an educated person, working for an important peacekeeping organization, and can write fancy 50-page reports and distribute them, yet your numbers - and conclusions - are wrong.

I find this part worthy of discussion:

The last time you played fruit machines, who were you with?
- With my parents or guardians, 62%

The last time you bought National Lottery tickets, who were you with?
- With my parents or guardians, 58%

Now...is this harmless or is it something serious? You'd be inclined to immediately jump to conclusion that these parents are idiots who are exposing their kids to gambling. But I think it's just harmless family fun, mostly by parents who are raising confident human beings who can take care of themselves. It looks awful in the UKGC report though.

Kids are smarter than we think and they're perfectly capable of playing a fruit machine for fun and end it at that. Or drink alcohol and not become an alcoholic (you need an emotional component in order to become one). Kids are alright. Vast majority of them don't gamble at all. Of those who do, 40% spend less than 2 quid a week. Let them.

The only part I think is wrong in this entire thing are those online games that gamify and disguise gambling. That's evil. They're designed to lure in people who otherwise wouldn't have gambled, and to make them addicted to that behavior. You gamble and don't even know it. I'd even go as far as saying that all pay-to-play MMOGs belong in this same drawer. It's not gambling per se, but it's designed to make you ask your parents to let you use their credit card because you must have that item. You're a zombie who's spending his entire day building castles and paying money to build them faster. That's addiction, not a scratchcard or a bet with friends.

BTW, I have an almost perfect score as a problem gambler according to the DSM-IV-MR-J screen. But little do they know Bears will cover the spread later today.

And remember. If you don't gamble at age 11-16 you will grow up to be the person who writes 50-page statistical reports for UKGC. Live a little. Buy a scratchcard.

[FictionNet]

Probably the best post I have read at gpwa all year, Dan. I agree 100% (and more, if I could) with every word and sentiment.

[DanHorvat]

Thanks.

Except for the fact that Bears didn't play yesterday despite me waiting in front of the TV, as today is Thursday and yesterday was not.

[sweetbet]

The last time you played fruit machines, who were you with?
- With my parents or guardians, 62%

How is it possible for children to walk into a gambling area and play fruit (slot) machines?

[Cash Bonus]

Agreed, Dan. And it wouldn't hurt to buy a scratch card and try your luck in winning with those.

[Mattbar]

How is it possible for children to walk into a gambling area and play fruit (slot) machines?

In pubs there are no gambling areas I'm afraid, parents will often allow children to stand with them when playing and will even let them press the buttons.

Only last week I saw a 4 or 5 year old in the arms of their father pressing the buttons. The staff didn't seem to mind, but then is it the job of a barman / barmaid to enforce gambling laws when little effort is made to take the machines away from areas with children in them?

[JoeHarris]

Very interesting and informative piece, great post!

[FreerollsDB]

Only last week I saw a 4 or 5 year old in the arms of their father pressing the buttons. The staff didn't seem to mind, but then is it the job of a barman / barmaid to enforce gambling laws when little effort is made to take the machines away from areas with children in them?

jeepers. very thoughtless of the parents.

[Cash Bonus]

Agreed FreerollsDB, it’s just plain reckless. You would think they would have responsibility as parents.