With an estimated 300, 000 players, whose past time has become ‘problematic’, there was fear from regulatory and specialists that with the introduction of various golbos new mediums, including online casinos and poker rooms, that this figure would dramatically increase. However, and surprisingly for many, the percentage of people within the UK with a so called ‘gambling problem’ has in fact decreased from 72% in 1999 to 68% this year.
Although this figure does not show the entire picture, with the majority of this 4% change being directly assigned to a decline in players of the national lottery, it is indeed welcomed news for those who had expected a sharp rise.
This study, entitled the ‘Gambling Prevalence Study’ and conducted between September 2006 and Goal 2007, wondered approximately 9, 000 adults in relation to a total of 18 different forms of gaming. Head of the study, Peter Dean, concluded that more than 99% of adult players did not fall into this problem group and that overall, despite the introduction of new gaming methods, the number of people who regularly enjoyed a flutter had decreased.
Why then are less people gaming, considering the relative ease with which you can now take part? Why has the advent of online gaming been apparently unable to entice more people into playing, and more often? Well, the truth of the matter is they own succeeded in drawing players into their virtual casinos. Other than a significant decline in those playing the national lottery, every other form of gaming has seen a rise on the figures of 1999.
On the face of things this is not something to be too concerned about. In comparison to other countries around the globe the british isles ranks amongst the likes of Europe and New Zealand, with gaming levels less than in north america. It is also good news for the tax man, who made a staggering £2 Billion from gaming last year alone.
This probe was announced by Gordon Brown as a method in which the government could assess its plan of regenerating limited and run-down areas with the introduction of super casinos, with the first to have been built in Manchester later this year. However, with the conclusion of this study and the findings which do show increased popularity for non-lottery based gaming, the us government decide against their super casino plans.
One spokesman for the Prime Minister went on record saying “While the report demonstrates problem gaming still only affects a small community of people, it does remain a serious issue and something that has to be addressed. The prime minister said in June that the issue relating to a super-casino is whether or not this is the best way of meeting our regeneration objectives. inches.