Submission Title
Monitoring methods of gambling engagement and problem gambling levels within selected European countries.
Session Title
Session 2-3-A: Measuring Problem Gambling
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation
Location
Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV
Start Date
24-5-2023 1:30 PM
End Date
24-5-2023 3:00 PM
Disciplines
Law
Abstract
Abstract: Research into gambling engagement has a long-standing history. Several systematic studies identified the volume and types of surveys that were undertaken globally or locally. Yet, there appears to be a distinct paucity of research that attempts to identify actual jurisdictional approaches to how gambling engagements and problem gambling levels are measured.
This study aims to fill this gap for European countries. Through the collection of data directly from the regulatory bodies responsible for gambling related regulations of selected European countries as well as desk-based research into available data, it identified which jurisdictions assess gambling-related matters via systematic, nationally sponsored surveys, which countries rely on alternative methods to assess those aspects within their territories and the extent to which findings from such surveys or other methods can be used as evidence to underpin regulatory interventions.
The study highlights the high variations of jurisdictional approaches not only between different countries but also within individual states. It argues that this causes any meaningful comparisons of gambling trends in Europe to be very challenging. It further shows that the uses of such survey results to underpin regulatory measures are flawed and reduce the possibility of evidence-based arguments in gambling related discourses.
Impact: The study advocates the adoption of a pan-European adult gambling surveys that could be modelled on the children’s ESPAD survey. This would enable a more constructive dialogue about the variety of regulatory approaches and more accurate assessment of what works most effectively in the context of social responsibility measures.
Keywords
gambling engagement measurement methods problem gambling measurement methods European jurisdictional approaches
Funding Sources
The project was fully funded by the European Gaming and Betting Association. The EGBA worked with me on the questions to ensure that they were within the scope of the study and provided email addresses of the regulatory bodies that are responsible for gambling regulations within European countries. The EGBA had no influence on the findings of the study or the final report.
Competing Interests
No competing interest.
Monitoring methods of gambling engagement and problem gambling levels within selected European countries.
Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV
Abstract: Research into gambling engagement has a long-standing history. Several systematic studies identified the volume and types of surveys that were undertaken globally or locally. Yet, there appears to be a distinct paucity of research that attempts to identify actual jurisdictional approaches to how gambling engagements and problem gambling levels are measured.
This study aims to fill this gap for European countries. Through the collection of data directly from the regulatory bodies responsible for gambling related regulations of selected European countries as well as desk-based research into available data, it identified which jurisdictions assess gambling-related matters via systematic, nationally sponsored surveys, which countries rely on alternative methods to assess those aspects within their territories and the extent to which findings from such surveys or other methods can be used as evidence to underpin regulatory interventions.
The study highlights the high variations of jurisdictional approaches not only between different countries but also within individual states. It argues that this causes any meaningful comparisons of gambling trends in Europe to be very challenging. It further shows that the uses of such survey results to underpin regulatory measures are flawed and reduce the possibility of evidence-based arguments in gambling related discourses.
Impact: The study advocates the adoption of a pan-European adult gambling surveys that could be modelled on the children’s ESPAD survey. This would enable a more constructive dialogue about the variety of regulatory approaches and more accurate assessment of what works most effectively in the context of social responsibility measures.
Comments
The study has been presented at webinars organised by the EGBA. Those were attended by gambling industry representatives and regulators as well as other interested parties. However, the study has not been presented at an academic conference.
City, University of London retains the copy rights to the study. Nevertheless, I asked EGBA to ensure that they are happy for it to be presented at academic conferences and they confirmed so. The technical report was published on City, University of London website and on EGBA website but has not yet been published in any academic journal.