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Just over half of over-16s in England gambled in 2018, with 0.4 per cent identified as problem gamblers, according to the National Health Service’s (NHS) Health Survey for England study.
A total of 53 per cent of the 5,719 adults who participated in the survey said they participated in gambling activities during 2018. This figure falls to 39 per cent when the National Lottery is excluded.
Results from the survey found that 60 per cent of those who had gambled in the last 12 months were aged 45 to 54 while only 39 per cent were aged 16 to 24.
The NHS did not provide the overall number of participants who gambled online. However, according to experts, Health Survey of England study show that 29 per cent of men in the age group from 25 to 34 reported that they have taken part in online gambling activities over the previous 12 months, while only 4 per cent of the men aged 65 did it as well.
The NHS did not provide the exact number of participants who gambled online but said results suggested 15 per cent of England’s male adult population, and 4 per cent of women did so.
The NHS also estimated that 0.4 per cent of respondents met the criteria to be classed as problem gamblers, with a further 3.2 per cent of respondents identified as at-risk gamblers. Based on the results, experts in UK are worrying that smartphone betting is facilitating gambling addiction to take hold on local gamblers.
“The NHS never stands still as health needs change, which is why we’re rolling out new specialist services to tackle mental ill-health linked to gambling addiction, as part of our long-term plan. But it is high time that all these firms who spend many millions on marketing and advertising step up to the plate and take their responsibilities seriously,” said Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England.
