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Gambling: How much do we spend in the UK? | Gambling: How much do we spend in the UK? |
(about 8 hours later) | |
An NHS clinic for people with the most serious gambling problems has been opened in Leeds, the first such facility outside London. | An NHS clinic for people with the most serious gambling problems has been opened in Leeds, the first such facility outside London. |
Just how much does the UK spend on gambling - and when does it count as an addiction? | Just how much does the UK spend on gambling - and when does it count as an addiction? |
How much is spent on gambling? | How much is spent on gambling? |
About £14.5bn was spent in Great Britain on gambling between October 2017 and September 2018, according to the Gambling Commission - the industry regulator. | About £14.5bn was spent in Great Britain on gambling between October 2017 and September 2018, according to the Gambling Commission - the industry regulator. |
That figure includes everything from National Lottery tickets and bingo games to betting on horse racing or football. | That figure includes everything from National Lottery tickets and bingo games to betting on horse racing or football. |
Online gambling accounts for most of the revenue at £5.6bn, about 38.8% of the total spend. That includes things like casino betting or bingo apps and games. | Online gambling accounts for most of the revenue at £5.6bn, about 38.8% of the total spend. That includes things like casino betting or bingo apps and games. |
After that, bets placed by customers in betting shops generate £3.2bn. | After that, bets placed by customers in betting shops generate £3.2bn. |
Just under £3bn was spent on National Lottery tickets in the same period. | Just under £3bn was spent on National Lottery tickets in the same period. |
Who gambles most often? | Who gambles most often? |
The National Lottery is the most popular gambling activity, followed by scratchcards. Of those surveyed by the gambling industry regulator, 28% had bought a ticket in the last four weeks. | The National Lottery is the most popular gambling activity, followed by scratchcards. Of those surveyed by the gambling industry regulator, 28% had bought a ticket in the last four weeks. |
If you don't include National Lottery draws, about 32% of adults say they have gambled in the last month. | If you don't include National Lottery draws, about 32% of adults say they have gambled in the last month. |
Those aged between 25 and 34 are the most likely to gamble, with 40% of that age group having participated in at least one form of gambling in the last month. | Those aged between 25 and 34 are the most likely to gamble, with 40% of that age group having participated in at least one form of gambling in the last month. |
Men have a higher participation rate too. In the year to December 2018, 37% of men surveyed had gambled, versus 28% of women. | Men have a higher participation rate too. In the year to December 2018, 37% of men surveyed had gambled, versus 28% of women. |
Almost one in five people questioned by the Gambling Commission said that they had gambled online in the last four weeks. Most games and bets were placed on a mobile phone or laptop at home. | Almost one in five people questioned by the Gambling Commission said that they had gambled online in the last four weeks. Most games and bets were placed on a mobile phone or laptop at home. |
How many betting shops are there? | How many betting shops are there? |
The latest research shows the total number of betting shops in Great Britain fell slightly to 8,423 in September of last year. | The latest research shows the total number of betting shops in Great Britain fell slightly to 8,423 in September of last year. |
However, these statistics don't reflect the period after the government's decision to cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) earlier this year. | However, these statistics don't reflect the period after the government's decision to cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) earlier this year. |
It was cut from £100 to £2 because of widespread concern that players were able to lose large amounts of money in a short amount of time. | It was cut from £100 to £2 because of widespread concern that players were able to lose large amounts of money in a short amount of time. |
Bookmaker William Hill said it would close 700 of its betting shops as a result of the government's decision. | Bookmaker William Hill said it would close 700 of its betting shops as a result of the government's decision. |
The firm warned the reduction could cost it about £100m a year in sales. | The firm warned the reduction could cost it about £100m a year in sales. |
Analysts said that this would be most apparent in inner city and other urban areas, where young customers would come in often to use the machines. | Analysts said that this would be most apparent in inner city and other urban areas, where young customers would come in often to use the machines. |
Various councils, including Newham in East London, campaigned for the reduction of the FOBTs' maximum stake. They argued that a high concentration of betting shops in their areas led to anti-social behaviour. | Various councils, including Newham in East London, campaigned for the reduction of the FOBTs' maximum stake. They argued that a high concentration of betting shops in their areas led to anti-social behaviour. |
What is problem gambling? | What is problem gambling? |
The Royal College of Psychiatrists says that gambling is a problem for about nine people in every 1,000 - about 1% of the population. | The Royal College of Psychiatrists says that gambling is a problem for about nine people in every 1,000 - about 1% of the population. |
Henrietta Bowden-Jones, founder and director of the NHS National Gambling Clinic, says that problem gambling can lead people into debt, with some losing their homes and their savings. | Henrietta Bowden-Jones, founder and director of the NHS National Gambling Clinic, says that problem gambling can lead people into debt, with some losing their homes and their savings. |
She describes gambling disorder as "a total loss of control" of how much you spend on gambling. | She describes gambling disorder as "a total loss of control" of how much you spend on gambling. |
GamCare, a charity providing support to those affected by problem gambling, says it has seen an increase in enquiries. It took just under 30,000 calls in the 2017-18 financial year. | GamCare, a charity providing support to those affected by problem gambling, says it has seen an increase in enquiries. It took just under 30,000 calls in the 2017-18 financial year. |
In its annual report for 2017, it cited a 2% increase in calls from problem gamblers, or their family or friends, to the National Gambling Helpline. | In its annual report for 2017, it cited a 2% increase in calls from problem gamblers, or their family or friends, to the National Gambling Helpline. |
Most callers (55%) said they were struggling with online gambling. | Most callers (55%) said they were struggling with online gambling. |
Liz Ritchie, of the Gambling with Lives charity, said gambling is a "serious addiction and costs lives". | |
She added: "There are 250-650 gambling-related suicides per year in the UK and suicides by young people are rising." | |
Since 2018, gambling addicts have been able to ban themselves, or self-exclude, from online betting platforms, under a free, independent scheme called GamStop. | Since 2018, gambling addicts have been able to ban themselves, or self-exclude, from online betting platforms, under a free, independent scheme called GamStop. |
However, previous BBC investigation found that people were able to cheat the system by changing their user details on betting platforms. | |
What are the rules around advertising? | What are the rules around advertising? |
In April, new rules on gambling adverts came into force, including those on social networks and other online platforms. | In April, new rules on gambling adverts came into force, including those on social networks and other online platforms. |
Gambling adverts targeted at those under the age of 18 are illegal. | Gambling adverts targeted at those under the age of 18 are illegal. |
Gambling firms are now also banned from using animated characters from film or television, as well as celebrities who "appear to be" under the age of 25, in ads. | Gambling firms are now also banned from using animated characters from film or television, as well as celebrities who "appear to be" under the age of 25, in ads. |
The Advertising Standards Authority enforces the rules, but it doesn't have the power to issue fines. | The Advertising Standards Authority enforces the rules, but it doesn't have the power to issue fines. |
Recent research by the Gambling Commission suggests that 14% of 11 to 16-year-olds have gambled in the last week. | Recent research by the Gambling Commission suggests that 14% of 11 to 16-year-olds have gambled in the last week. |
Stricter rules on gambling adverts were introduced in an effort to protect children from "irresponsible" adverts that might encourage them to gamble. | Stricter rules on gambling adverts were introduced in an effort to protect children from "irresponsible" adverts that might encourage them to gamble. |
MPs have called for in-game spending to be regulated by gambling laws, with loot boxes being banned entirely for children. | MPs have called for in-game spending to be regulated by gambling laws, with loot boxes being banned entirely for children. |
In online games, loot boxes give random rewards and can be acquired either through gameplay or by spending real cash. | In online games, loot boxes give random rewards and can be acquired either through gameplay or by spending real cash. |
Last year, Belgium became the first European country to ban loot boxes, after its gambling commission found they broke the country's gambling laws. | Last year, Belgium became the first European country to ban loot boxes, after its gambling commission found they broke the country's gambling laws. |
If you've been affected by gambling addiction, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line. | If you've been affected by gambling addiction, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line. |
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