Revolutionizing Gambling Data Collection in the UK: A Leap Towards Better Regulation
Date: 2023-11-23 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: EVENTS
A Pioneering Approach to Data Collection
The UK Gambling Commission is dedicated to refining the methodology for gathering data on adult participation in gambling activities. Recognizing the pivotal role of robust data, the Commission believes this initiative will foster improved regulations and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Three Years of Strategic Consultations
Over the past three years, the Commission has diligently sought public input through various consultations to enhance the collection of gambling data. Helen Bryce, the head of statistics at the Commission, recently disclosed the progress made in the Gambling Survey for Great Britain during a public consultation.
Ambitious Goals for 2023-2026
The Gambling Survey is a pivotal component of the Commission's priorities for the 2023-2026 period. The ultimate goal is to deepen the Commission's understanding, compare results with operator-provided data, and enhance sector regulation.
New Methodology Showcasing Progress
Helen Bryce highlighted the significant strides made in the project, attributing success to collaboration with sector stakeholders. More than 60 respondents participated in the 2020 consultation, and in 2021, 70 stakeholders completed an engagement survey. The project has also received support from the government, emphasizing the importance of reliable statistics in policymaking.
A Glimpse of Experimental Statistics
The project's progress is marked by the release of experimental statistics, derived from responses of around 4,000 participants between April and May this year. These statistics are published to familiarize users with new methods' impact on findings before official publication.
Strategic Partnership with Academic Expertise
The Gambling Commission has enlisted the expertise of Professor Patrick Sturgis from the London School of Economics. Sturgis, a Professor of Quantitative Social Science, will scrutinize the Gambling Survey's methodology, with his findings set to be published next year.
In the words of Helen Bryce, the head of statistics at the Gambling Commission, "We believe that better evidence, driven by better data will lead to better regulation, which in turn will lead to better outcomes."
