UKGC Shares New Research on Affected Others: 63% of Them Gamble

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) has published qualitative research that puts the lives of the close circle of gamblers in the spotlight. They found out that so-called ‘affected others’ absorb a lot of the side effects of someone else’s gambling habits. Instead of relying solely on statistical data, the report draws on real interviews with victims conducted by Humankind Research, supported by Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) members.

The LEAP board consists of individuals with firsthand experience in gambling harms. The UKGC decision to involve this team was crucial to adhering to ethical protocols and ensuring proper research design. The panel members also helped to establish appropriate communication with vulnerable participants.

Key Takeaways

• According to the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), 9% of adults are exposed to someone else’s gambling.
• 63% of affected individuals were involved in gambling at least once in the last 12 months. 
• Placing wagers on smartphones makes it difficult for friends and family to identify the problem.
• Gambling activity usually impacts multiple spheres of life: finances, relationships, and health.
• Spouses usually experience the greatest harm, while friends and colleagues suffer only in one or a few areas of life.
• Fewer than 1 out of 5 individuals who experience negative effects seek support.

How Far Are The Affected Others from Gambling?

The polls conducted by the GSGB in 2024 revealed that 9% of adults identify themselves as impacted victims. And more than half of these individuals, that is actually 63%, gambled themselves over the last year. The consequences of this harm usually expand far beyond the financial losses. 26.6% of affected people have faced at least one of the devastating effects below:

• broken relationship or divorce;
• tendency to violence;
• substantial monetary losses.

The biggest issue is that those impacted don’t realise they have a problem, thus don’t think they have any reason to seek professional guidance. 

The Hidden Harms of Mobile Gambling

While land-based casinos have restrictions like opening hours and require time to travel there, the mobile experience has no stopping points. And its key threat is invisibility. The partners and friends are unable to identify that their close person needs help – placing wagers on a smartphone looks exactly like scrolling the social media feed. 

The survey participants indicated that the severe harm lies in promotions, free bets, and digital payments, all of which make it difficult to assess the amount of funds spent. 

The Connection Between Relationship Type & Harms 

The research found that the severity of side effects grows based on how close you are to the person gambling. Partners usually face the most intensive harm; parents are worried about their well-being. Children feel responsible for their parents and experience the reversal of roles. The most distinct impacts are on siblings and friends, not able to identify the level of liability to take on.

Individual Protection Isn’t Enough Anymore

This report aims to show the British that gambling isn’t an isolated issue. Both the gamblers and their close circle are suffering from harm, although in different ways. We currently see a massive gap in how we treat player responsibility. Safer gaming policies, marketing standards and risk detection need to evolve from individual protection to the safety of the entire household.