Neither Government nor Gambling Commission holds data on the number of problem gamblers aged 18 and over or under 18.<\/p>
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The Health Survey for England and Scotland 2016 and Problem Gambling Survey Wales 2016 estimated the number of problem gamblers aged 16 and over in Great Britain as approximately 340,000, 0.7% of the population. Of these, approximately 280,000 were in England (based on 40 individuals identified as problem gamblers), approximately 40,000 in Scotland (based on 24 individuals) and approximately 20,000 in Wales (based on 29 individuals).<\/p>
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All estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and due to the low prevalence of problem gambling among respondents to the survey have large confidence intervals. There is 95% confidence that the true estimate for the total number of problem gamblers aged 16 and over in Britain is between 250,000 and 460,000.<\/p>
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The Gambling Commission\u2019s 2018 Young People and Gambling Report estimated that 1.7% of 11-16 year olds were problem gamblers, or approximately 55,000 if extrapolated to the population of Great Britain. This number is based on a survey completed by 2,865 children in schools in England, Scotland and Wales. Of these, 37 children were identified as problem gamblers: 30 in England, 3 in Scotland and 4 in Wales. Due to the low number of respondents it is not possible to provide robust estimates for the number of problem gamblers in each country.<\/p>
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All estimates of the total figures of problem gamblers in Great Britain should be treated with caution due to the low numbers of individuals on which they are based.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4247", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ashton of Hyde"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-11T12:41:17.267Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gambling"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how many problem gamblers they estimate are (1) under 18 years old, and (2) 18 years old or more, in (a) England, (b) Scotland, and (c) Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Chadlington"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Chadlington"} ], "uin" : "HL11888"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1015113", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1015113/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We published the Review of Gambling Machines and Social Responsibility Measures in May 2018. This set out decisive action to protect those vulnerable to harm by cutting the maximum stake on B2 machine from £100 to £2, along with measures to strengthen protections around online gambling and gambling advertising. These include action by the Gambling Commission to improve age-verification controls online and introduce tougher sanctions for breaches of advertising codes. A multi-million pound safer gambling advertising campaign will launch this year, aimed at raising awareness of the risks around gambling and signposting to help.<\/p>
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The Review also set out action on treatment and support for those who experience harm, including initiatives to improve the evidence on treatment needs and effectiveness, expand access to existing services and strengthen the voluntary system for funding support.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mims Davies"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastleigh"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mims Davies"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-04T17:16:55.34Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gambling"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of people who have a gambling addiction.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4603", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Edgbaston"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Preet Kaur Gill"} ], "uin" : "195649"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1005773", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1005773/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We published the Review of Gambling Machines and Social Responsibility Measures in May. This set out measures to strengthen protections around gaming machines, including cutting the maximum stake on B2 machine from £100 to £2, online gambling, and gambling advertising. It also set out action on treatment and support for those who experience harm, including initiatives to improve the evidence on treatment needs and effectiveness, expand access to existing services and strengthen the voluntary system for funding support. Government has also encouraged industry to increase its funding for third sector initiatives to support people with a gambling addiction.<\/p>
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GambleAware, an independent charity, commissions treatment services, including the National Gambling Helpline and counselling services, specialist treatment delivered by the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic and the Gordon Moody Association. GambleAware aims to triple access to its treatment services across the country and recently announced the establishment of a further specialist NHS clinic and Problem Gambling Support team in Leeds.<\/p>
As demonstrated by the report Gambling Behaviour in Great Britain 2016, which is based on the combined Health Surveys, there is an association between mental health and problem or risky gambling behaviour. Some problem gamblers will therefore access support through services for other addictions and mental health conditions. The National Institute for Care and Health Excellence (NICE) has been commissioned to explore developing a guideline on non-chemical addictions, including gambling, which would give support to clinicians seeking to support problem gamblers.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4513", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mims Davies"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Eastleigh"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mims Davies"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-22T10:27:22.557Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gambling"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps his Department has taken to support people with a gambling addiction.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1198", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir David Evennett"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bexleyheath and Crayford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir David Evennett"} ], "uin" : "190373"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1000316", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1000316/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I have not met with any gambling companies since my appointment. The Minister for Sport and Civil Society, together with officials, hold regular such meetings and I will be attending a roundtable with the gambling industry later this year.<\/p>
<\/p>
I held a meeting with the hon Member for Shipley and the hon Member for Tewkesbury on 10 October and have held further conversations with colleagues on this issue.<\/p>
<\/p>
I am fully briefed on all aspects of the Gambling Review, including the Government's response to Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1560", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Kenilworth and Southam"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jeremy Wright"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "187322"} , {"_value" : "187323"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-12T11:39:22.263Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gambling"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which gambling companies he has held meetings with since he took up his current office.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1463", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Watson of Wyre Forest"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "West Bromwich East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tom Watson"} ], "uin" : "187321"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984263", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984263/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility has taken action to reduce gambling-related harm and ensure that those experiencing problems can access the help they need. As well as reducing the maximum stake from £100 to £2 on B2 gaming machines, government's response announced increased safeguards on online gambling and strengthened protections around gambling advertising. We also set out measures to improve understanding of gambling-related harm, how to prevent and reduce it, the need for treatment and the most effective means of delivering it. We are working closely with the Gambling Commission, Public Health England, GambleAware and health bodies on the follow up to these initiatives.<\/p>
<\/p>
Prior to the Review, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB), the independent advisors to the Gambling Commission, published a three year National Responsible Gambling Strategy in 2016. The strategy identified 12 areas for action by a range of bodies, including developing a better understanding of gambling-related harm and identifying improvements in treatment. Regular progress reports have been published and the Commission is working with the RGSB and partners on the shaping of a future strategy.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4247", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ashton of Hyde"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ashton of Hyde"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-23T11:00:28.73Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Gambling"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for the development of a national strategy for the prevention and treatment of harms resulting from gambling.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3318", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Chadlington"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Chadlington"} ], "uin" : "HL10471"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/980128", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/980128/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Questions about gambling participation are included in the large scale English and Scottish Health Surveys and an alternative omnibus survey for Wales. The Combined Health Survey for England, Scotland and Wales 2016 results were published on 6 September 2018 and can be found at https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Gambling-behaviour-in-Great-Britain-2016.pdf<\/a> . A copy of which is attached.<\/p>