Dugher asks for evidence-based approach to white paper as problem gambling falls

The Betting and Gaming Council chief executive Michael Dugher has warned that future changes from the gambling review should be "carefully balanced" after figures found that problem gambling had fallen over the last year.

In new statistics from the Gambling Commission released up until March 2022, the rates of problem gambling fell to a level of 0.2 per cent – which had decreased from 0.4 per cent the previous year – and came as the review into the 2005 Gambling Act is finalised, with ministers set to publish the white paper for it this month.

MPs, trainers and various voices in racing have previously spoken about their concerns about some of the changes being put forward, which could cost the British racing industry more than £100 million a year.

Intrusive affordability checks on customers losing over £100 a month could be put in place in the review, but Dugher believes the newly released figures must now be considered by government ministers.

Ministers at Westminster are close to finalising a review into the 2005 Gambling ActCredit: Getty Images

"These latest figures showing that problem gambling is falling once again will no doubt come as a profound disappointment to anti-gambling prohibitionists," he said. "It should be a warning to ministers to ensure future changes are carefully balanced, proportionate and targeted.

"They are further evidence of that positive progress and underline our calls for ministers to take a genuinely evidence-based approach to the upcoming white paper and not pander to the anti-gambling lobby."

The statistics, which came from a sample of 4,018 adults, also showed that the yearly problem gambling figure had been at 0.3 per cent a month before they were released, while overall participation in gambling has increased to 43 per cent, which was three per cent higher than the previous year.

Dugher insisted that the majority of gamblers do so responsibly and warned that any significant affordability checks could lead them to unlicensed black market bookmaker sites in the UK.

"Ministers should not drive customers into the arms of the black market by introducing intrusive personal checks for non-problem gamblers and those not at risk, or by taking away the offers that punters in a highly competitive market enjoy," he added.

"Around 22.5 million adults in the UK bet each month and it is clear once again that the overwhelming majority do so perfectly safely and responsibly."

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