Problem Gambling Eight Times Higher Than Thought
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/25/harm-from-problem-gambling-in-uk-may-be-eight-times-higher-than-thought-research-finds
Posted by Classy56
Problem Gambling Eight Times Higher Than Thought
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/25/harm-from-problem-gambling-in-uk-may-be-eight-times-higher-than-thought-research-finds
Posted by Classy56
12 Comments
The most obvious thing is to ban all gambling advertising. We did the same with cigs and it seemed to work well.
The irony of the statistics not reflecting an issue about a failure to understand statistics.
>*The latest research found that, among those who had gambled in the last year, more than one in 40 experienced a severe harm to their life, such as turning to crime to finance gambling, experiencing a relationship breakdown, or losing a home.*
That sounds very high. Do the numbers fit with those from the legal system (for turning to crime) and building societies (for lost homes)?
Are they sure there is a causal relationship? For instance, what is the rate at which relationships break down without gambling?
That said, I would support an immediate ban on non-skilled gambling, like numbers games and slot machines, sometimes described as the “crack cocaine of gambling”, while allowing games of skill, such as football or horserace betting, where there is at least the possibility of a skilful player beating the bookmaker, which is why bookmakers seek to bar anyone with a clue.
And this is still underreporting because they’re likely still only considering traditional forms of gambling.
I’ve always thought it to be wild how permissive gambling laws are in the UK. National obsesssion, honestly, it’s bloody everywhere. Multiple bookies per high street, slot machines in every pub, non stop adverts for mobile casinos on the telly, it’s no bloody wonder.
I can appreciate a casino for the entertainment experience it provides, but most of the gambling options out there exist mostly to rinse out problem gamblers
I wonder if these statistics even take into account loot boxes in video games , and gacha games. They use the exact same methods to get people to spend money. Fuck, companies have literally hired gambling experts to design these micro transactions in games.
Well this is because when you gamble you can only loose 100% of your money, vs you have the potential to win 10000× your money. You just need to keep hustling bro
The amazing thing about gambling addiction is that it’s not winning that gives the buzz it’s the chance to.
advertising and sheer desperation for any chance of money to come their way
Oh gee what could be causing all of this problem gambling?
Who knows. There was me thinking the fact you can’t turn on a TV or radio without being constantly bombarded with intense, blanket advertising of every single form of gambling (yes, shitty bingo and ‘competitions’ etc are gambling) 24/7 might have something to do with it.
I can only assume the internet is the same or worse but I block all ads on that.
I feel like it’s only going to get worse. It’s so easy and accessible now, and it feels like computer games are normalising gambling to kids with loot boxes, gachas, etc.
Ads should be banned, loot boxes should be removed from games.
Imagine bombarding people in a cost of living crisis with advertising for gambling,…
Watching the Euros while “out”, I resisted e how many people gamble £20 here and £30 there and get annoyed when it doesn’t pan out.
It needs tighter controls.