The survey was conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The problem gambling rates for men fell from 0.8% in 2018 to 0.6% in 2021.
The problem gambling rates for women declined from 0.3% to 0.1% in 2021.
Since 2019, the NHS has intermittently collected problem gambling information through the Health Survey for England (HSE).
The ONS collected data for the survey between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022.
The survey collected data from over 3,700 people regarding their gambling habits.
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) and DSM-IV scores were used to measure problem gambling.
The NHS problem gambling results align with those reported by the Gambling Commission.
The HSE warned against direct comparisons to previous findings due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes in data collection methods.
The closure of in-person gambling facilities during the relevant period further complicates comparisons.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) welcomed the study’s results as evidence that problem gambling rates in England remain low by international standards.
BGC chief executive, Michael Dugher, supported the use of technology and multiple markers of harm to identify and target problem gambling.
Dugher cited the HSE results as support for the government’s implementation of “frictionless” affordability checks.
The BGC is committed to working with the government and members to improve standards.
Dugher emphasized that problem gambling is not a public health emergency, debunking claims made by anti-gambling prohibitionists.
