Taking a Turn for the Worse – Gambling Disorder Cases Increase
A new report from the Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling found tens of millions of people are affected by addiction. With so many betting options, many experts consider sports betting, in particular, to be considered mostly as an opportunity for wagers rather than an enjoyable pastime.
The number of gambling addicts has been revealed by a new report. © mostafa_meraji, Pixabay
450 Million People Experience Negative Affects from Gambling
A new landmark study has revealed that hundreds of millions of people around the world have been affected negatively by gambling in some way.
According to the newly published report by the Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling, some 450 million people have at least one behavioural symptom due to gambling, or they have experienced consequences to their health, social relationships or personal lives.
Of that number, the report said 80 million people are affected by a form of gambling disorder. More than a quarter (26.4%) of adolescents who used online casino products such as slot games were affected by gambling disorder.
The research casts light on the harms that can be caused by gambling to excess, with new betting options being created by the industry all the time.
While brick-and-mortar casinos are relatively rare in the UK, countless online options exist. Sports betting is also very popular, and there are also many bingo halls nationwide.
Substantial Risks To Health
Co-chair of the commission, Professor Heather Wardle, who is a specialist in gambling research, policy and practice from Scotland’s University of Glasgow, noted that almost every adult owns a smartphone these days, and they are “a casino in their pocket, 24 hours a day”.
She added: “Most people think of a traditional Las Vegas casino or buying a lottery ticket when they think of gambling. They don’t think of large technology companies deploying a variety of techniques to get more people to engage more frequently with a commodity that can pose substantial risks to health, but this is the reality of gambling today.”
Professor Wardle noted the techniques that are being widely used to fuel addiction, adding: “Highly sophisticated marketing and technology make it easier to start, and harder to stop gambling, and many products now use design mechanics to encourage repeated and longer engagement.”
Reform Coming?
The new report on gambling harms comes as the industry faces the prospect of new regulations being introduced in the UK. Prior to the 2024 general election, the Labour Party included gambling reform in its manifesto, but there were no details about the changes that would be made.
Labour recorded a landslide victory at the election, and gambling reform remains on the agenda, with the Lancet research potentially being taken into account when drafting new legislation.
Professor Malcolm Sparrow, who was an expert involved in the creation of the Lancet report, said increased regulation of gambling is required.
“While the industry continues to promote gambling as harmless entertainment, countries and communities are experiencing rapidly increasing threats from gambling harms”, he said.
“The commission urges policymakers to treat gambling as a public health issue, just as we treat other addictive and unhealthy commodities such as alcohol and tobacco.”
