The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is not resting, putting out new material to help against problem gambling. On May 3, the commission released its latest framework, this time specifically to help reduce gambling harms experienced by children and young people.
The report was developed by Ipsos Mori in collaboration with the UKGC, and laid out the types of damage that could be caused to young people by gambling. It was created by looking at Ipsos young person survey and determining how they are most affected by overboard betting.
The UKGC’s Programme Director for Safer Gambling, Helen Rhodes, said of the initiative: “Gaining a better understanding of the impact of gambling on children and young people is a key priority for the Commission.
“Childhood and adolescence is a key stage of development and any harms experienced at this stage in life can be detrimental to the future development, confidence and potential of young people.”
The framework itself is a 43 page document, available online, and highlights what the study has already determined. It looks into the financial harm on young people, and specifically the reduction in living standards that happens when a parent falls prey to an addiction.
It also notes that young people who starting gambling early might stunt their educational and emotional development. It quotes one student who said:
“If a child doesn’t learn the fundamentals because he is gambling then he won’t be able to take the knowledge into exams to get the grades you need to get a job.”
The study also looked at the harms to relationships and health that gambling can cause on young people, two factors that can be harmed because of a sudden lack of funds, or because of a lack of attention from a caring parent.
This is not a fait-accompli for the UKGC or Ipsos Mori. Margaret Blake, lead researcher for the latter, said, “This work is just a starting point and we anticipate that the framework and measures will develop in the future.” Director of Research and Evaluation at GambleAware, Clare Wyllie, added:
“This initial framework is designed to help guide and focus research and action to reduce gambling harms in children and young people. We encourage other researchers to build further evidence to develop the framework, so together we can move faster and go further to reduce gambling harms.”
