Gambling : a public health problem ?

1. Gambling : a public health problem ? Sian M Griffiths

4. Gambling is Profitable

5. Gambling participation Gambling Commission tells us :

6. Children and gambling 2018 report • Key findings • During the last week • 14% of 11-16 year olds had spent their own money on gambling • 13% drank alcohol, • 4% smoked cigarettes • 2% took illegal drugs • The principal forms of gambling • placing a private bet for money with friends (6%), National Lottery scratchcards (4%), fruit/slot machines (3%) and playing cards for money with friends (3%) • Young people who have gambled in the past week spent an average of £16 on gambling • 1.7% of 11-16 year olds are classified as ‘problem’ gamblers, 2.2% as ‘at risk’

7. How do children gamble? • Over the past 12 months, 39% of 11-16 year olds have spent their own money on gambling • 6% have gambled online using a parent or guardian’s account • 31% have ever opened loot boxes in a computer game or app, to try to acquire in-game items • 3% claim to have ever bet with in-game items (so called ‘skins’ gambling)

8. Attitudes of children • 59% agree that gambling is dangerous and only 14% agree that it is OK for someone their age to gamble • Around half (49%) of respondents said that someone had spoken to them about the problems that gambling can lead to, with the conversation typically taking place with a parent (40%) or teacher (21%).  • 60% of young people think their parents would prefer them not to gamble at all, however only 19% stated that their parents set strict rules about gambling with no negotiation

9. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-06-twitchs-casino-section-is-an-insidious-mess-and-its-right-in-view-of-childrenhttps://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-06-twitchs-casino-section-is-an-insidious-mess-and-its-right-in-view-of-children

12. Online gambling behaviour (year to Dec 2017) Problem gambling

13. Where are we now? • Increasing political awareness • Tracy Crouch resignation • Labour party policy paper • LGA guidance • Media coverage • Growing awareness that gambling causes harm • Estimated in Britain, there are at least 340,000 adult problem gamblers and a further 1.7 million experiencing some harms • Growing number of children gambling • Lack of formal health systems response

14. Impacts

15. Levels of harm

16. What exists ?

17. Current issues to address • Growing profits from on line gambling • Advertising around sport • Inadequate regulation • Increasing numbers of children involved in gambling • Links to mental health problems including suicide • Inadequate recognition by health services • Lack of education of health care /other professionals • Reliance on industry funding of independent charity for research , education and treatment

18. Solution : Strengthening the public health approach  • Gambling is a whole of population public health problem  • Need to strengthen our approach to prevention of harm and move upstream  • Better public policy – through legislation, regulation, fiscal measures and taxation responsive to community concern 

19. A public health approach to gambling needs to address • Young and vulnerable people, • Families and close associates of gamblers, • The wider community • Those who suffer harm from their own gambling. • Focus strategy on individual gamblers as well as products,environments and marketing and the wider context in which gambling occurs. • Need accurate, objective, accessible and understandable information • ensure equitable distribution of resources for prevention and treatment based upon need.

20. Addressing the problems • More supportive environments – building evidence-based harm minimisation strategies in communities and gambling environments  • Strengthening community action – tackling stigma, building awareness and community support for change  • Developing personal skills – building evidence-based prevention programs for the whole community and those at risk of harm  • Reorienting health services – strengthening evidence-based early intervention, treatment and rehabilitation pathways for problem gamblers 

21. Growing awareness PHE – evidence review NHSA – including in 10 year mental health plan LGA – Guidelines NICE- ? Guidelines Gambling providers- some voluntary steps Banks – blocking cards Politicians – growing interest Media – whistle to whistle

22. Are casinos grooming teen gamers into gamblers? Fears over children as young as ELEVEN being lured into addiction • Experts believe casinos and betting firms are grooming teenage gamers • Rank Group has hosted tournaments where players gambled as they took park  • More betting firms are sponsoring eSports events, which attract young players • https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-6474769/Are-casinos-grooming-teen-gamers-gamblers.html

24. Gambling firms agree 'whistle-to-whistle' television sport advertising ban • Football and gambling have been inextricably linked for nearly a century, since the launch of the football pools in 1923. • More than 90 minutes of adverts were shown during the football World Cup and anti-gambling campaigners say sport's use of adverts "normalises" betting. • Nearly 60% of clubs in England's top two divisions have gambling companies as shirt sponsors. BUT marketing spend online is five times the amount spent on television. The fact that it is reported that one in eight 11 to 16 year olds are following gambling companies on social media is very concerning. https://www.bbc.com/sport/46453954

27. Gambleawarehttps://about.gambleaware.org/

28. A challenge for public health ! • Legal • Lots of people gamble safely • Lots of people enjoy gambling • BUT • Potentially harmful • Inadequately regulated particularly on line • Inadequate education , treatment and engagement of public health and NHS

29. https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/news.aspxhttps://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/news.aspx • https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/news/news.aspx • https://www.local.gov.uk/tackling-gambling-related-harm-whole-council-approach

30. Thank you !