UK Gambling Commission CEO objects to misuse of statistics
Andrew Rhodes, the CEO of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), has publicly expressed his concerns about the misuse of statistics within the gambling industry in support of discussions on regulations. Rhodes conveyed his concerns through an open letter, acknowledging the challenges of the gambling sector. He added that Gambling Commission does not intend to arbitrate all perspectives in the ongoing debate.
Rhodes asserted that while all stakeholders have the right to present their viewpoints on the industry, the improper use of statistics to substantiate related arguments is unacceptable. The UKGC, Rhodes stated, is increasingly alarmed by the growing trend of manipulating statistics within the gambling discourse, as various parties vie to make compelling cases either for or against specific proposals.
Andrew Rhodes said that problem gambling rates differ by activity recorded at 0.9% for National Lottery players, 2.8% for horse racing gamblers, and 8.5% for online slots (Source: SiGMA)
Misapplication of Statistical Data
The open letter by Rhodes highlights a significant misapplication of statistical data across a range of entities within the gambling landscape, including gambling operators, trade associations, charities, media outlets and venue proprietors. Rhodes categorically labeled this trend as unacceptable and stressed that any party relying on statistical data to support its position must do so accurately and within the proper context.
Particularly, Rhodes pointed out that the most common misuse of statistics relates to figures that identify problem gambling. He added that data used is often inaccurate and blurs the reality of gambling-related harm. He pointed out the crucial distinction between problem gambling and gambling-related harm are distinct yet interconnected experiences.
Clarification of Key Terms
To address the widespread misuse of these statistics, Rhodes articulated the UKGC’s precise definition of “problem gambling.” He clarified that this term refers to gambling behaviour that compromises, disrupts or damages personal, familial or recreational aspects of an individual’s life. The UKGC predominantly employs the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) as a tool for measurement in this regard.
The open letter from Rhodes went on to cite specific statistics pertaining to the proportion of the UK population considered to be problem gamblers according to the PGSI. These figures range from 0.2 percent to 0.6 percent, with the commonly cited number being 0.3 percent of the entire population. Rhodes criticized the misinterpretation of this data, often leading to claims that “99.7 percent of gamblers are unaffected” or that “only 0.3 percent of gamblers face harm.”. He clarified that these interpretations are erroneous and distort the actual statistics.
Contextualizing Statistics
The UKGC has previously published statistics detailing the prevalence of problem gambling and gambling-related harm as a fraction of gamblers rather than the entire population. These figures indicate a higher incidence of problem gambling, with 0.8 percent of individuals who engaged in gambling within the past year falling into this category.
In addition, the UKGC has discerned varying rates of problem gambling across different types of gambling activities. For example, the incidence of problem gambling was noted at approximately 0.9 percent for lottery participants, 2.8 percent for retail horse racing betting, and as high as 8.5 percent for online slots, casino games, and bingo.
Rhodes also noted that the misuse of the 0.3 percent statistic leads some to erroneously argue that only this portion of the population is susceptible to gambling harm. This distortion, he highlighted, does not define the differences between problem gambling with gambling-related harm and overlooks data from the 2021 Health Survey for England, which demonstrated that 1.2 percent of gamblers were at “moderate” risk and an additional 4 percent were at “low risk” of harm.
Rhodes urges caution
Concluding his open letter, Rhodes acknowledged the fervent nature of the gambling debate and urged caution and responsibility when employing statistical evidence to further arguments. He stressed the importance of using evidence and statistics accurately, within the appropriate context and to apply the necessary caveats. By advocating for the proper utilization of statistical data, Rhodes aims to facilitate a more informed and balanced discussion within the gambling industry.
