Griffiths, MD

Linsey, A

English

Nottingham Trent Institutional Repository (IRep)

restrictions should be imposed on gamingmachines, and examine the extent to whichthe gambling offences in relation to youngpeople have been used. Further research isalso needed into the adequacy of treatmentand support for young people who areproblem gamblers, as very few adolescentproblem gamblers turn up for treatment.References1. Gambling Act 2005. London: TSO Seewww.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/20050019.htm 2. J Ashworth, N Doyle and N Howat (2000). Under 16sand the National Lottery: Tracking survey July 2000.London: National Lottery Commission 3. K Sproston, B Erens and J Orford (2000). GamblingBehaviour in Britain: Results from the British GamblingPrevalence Survey. London: National Centre for SocialResearchYoung people and gambling problemsMark Griffiths and Alison Linsey lay out the groundpage 18 | SCIENCE & PUBLIC AFFAIRS | June 2006consequences disrupt or damage family life,as well as work and leisure. The 2000 BritishGambling Prevalence Survey3 found that justunder one per cent of the UK adultpopulation are problem gamblers(approximately 275,000-325,000 people).However, the proportion of problem gamblersis higher amongst 16-24 year-olds (1.7 percent) than for over-25s (0.5 per cent). Theproblem gambling rate is two to three timeshigher in adolescents, particularly as a resultof problematic fruit machine gambling. The National Lottery Commission surveyreported that 4.9 per cent of the sample wereproblem gamblers (3.2 per cent fruitmachines, 0.5 per cent scratch cards, and 1.2per cent fruit machines and scratch cardscombined) which showed no significantdifference from the previous survey ( just over5 per cent). These data suggest that althoughthe prevalence of adolescent gamblingdecreased significantly between nationalsurveys, the prevalence of problem gamblingremained relatively constant and is a causefor concern.Profiles of problem gamblersThe National Lottery Commission survey alsofound that problem gamblers were morelikely than other children to have otheraddictive behaviours (for example, to havesmoked cigarettes, drunk alcohol and takenillegal drugs in the past week). These are notnecessarily causal factors of problemgambling, however.Further research has shown thatadolescent problem gamblers are also morelikely to be male, have begun gambling at anearly age, have had a big win early on, and tobe from a lower social class. This research hasalso indicated that the most addictivegambling activities are those in which thetime gap between gambles is very short (forexample, slot machines), and there are shortintervals between stake and payout, nearmisses, and a combination of very high prizesand frequent winning of small prizes.Work for the Gambling CommissionFollowing the full implementation of theGambling Act 2005, the newly establishedGambling Commission will need to furthermonitor young people’s gambling behaviours. This should help to identify whether ageThere is no UK law preventing children andadolescents gambling on fruit machines inseaside arcades and family leisure centres. However, there are many studies allshowing that a small but significant minorityof children and adolescents in the UK have agambling problem.LegislationThe most recent legislation is the GamblingAct 2005,1 which will replace existing law ongambling in England, Scotland and Wales.This Act will not be fully implemented until 1September 2007. Under 18s will be able toplay gaming machines but only for amaximum prize of £5 (in cash or in kind), anda maximum stake of 10p (or 30p if the prize isnot cash). The Act contains a provision for theSecretary of State to create an age limit forgaming machines and associated offences,after consultation with relevant bodies. The 2005 Act also establishes a newindependent Gambling Commission to licenseand regulate commercial gambling throughcasinos, bingo, betting, pool betting, largercharity lotteries and remote technologies suchas the internet.Prevalence of gamblingIn 2000, successive surveys were commissionedby the National Lottery Commission2 as part ofan ongoing tracking survey to monitor youngpeople’s gambling behaviour. The latest round of research found that 22per cent had gambled weekly on fruitmachines (55 per cent in the previous year),nine per cent had gambled weekly on NationalLottery scratch cards (36 per cent in theprevious year), and 7.6 per cent weekly on theNational Lottery draw (26 per cent in theprevious year). As with adult forms of NationalLottery products, the prevalence of weekly playhas decreased as the ‘novelty’ factor of playinghas worn off. However, the prevalence ofproblem gambling among adolescentsshowed no significant decrease.Problem gamblingThe survey was also designed to identify theprevalence of ‘problem gambling’ by under-16s on the National Lottery, scratch cards andfruit machines.There are many definitions of problemgambling, although most agree that theProfessor Mark Griffithsis at the International Gaming ResearchUnit, Nottingham Trent Universitymark.griffiths@ntu.ac.uk Alison Linseyis at the National Children’s Bureaualinsey@ncb.org.ukY FeatureYoung problem gamblers are more likely to be male

Young people and gambling problems

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