Nationwide survey looks into gambling impact on the UK

New research by Nationwide has gauged the impact gambling has in the United Kingdom, citing some interesting figures in the process. According to the research’s findings, 11% of respondents gamble daily and nearly 28% are already hiding their habits from others for fear of being criticized.

Gamblers continued to lose £351 on average in the last year

The research conducted with 2,000 participants who are also gamblers indicates that 63% of respondents gambled at least once a week, and 23% of gamblers did not set any time or money limits to restrict their gambling habits.

The average gambler lost around £351 over the last year, Nationwide’s research indicated, but 4% of gamblers actually lost more than £1,000 on a bet. Another 9%, the research pointed out, had lost money they had actually relied on for other things in life – such as expenses, food, mortgage payments and so on.

The research was released at roughly the same time that Nationwide is promoting its gambling block feature which is meant to empower gamblers and let them cool down for 72 hours before making their next wager.

This campaign is carried out with the help of gambling charity GamCare and seeks to protect vulnerable consumers, allowing them to think over their gambling habits and not spend money impulsively that may come to regret.

Nationwide and GamCare seek to assist vulnerable consumers

This comes at a time when GamCare itself has highlighted the dangers of holiday spending on gambling, especially during the Christmas season which is associated with some of the most reckless gambling.

GamCare has reported both increased spending of money that people otherwise needed for something else as well as a double digit in the calls placed to the national helpline designed to help people struggling with their gambling habits.

Commenting on the latest research findings, Nationwide Head of Customer Vulnerability Kathryn Townsend said:

"It’s heartbreaking that one in five people wouldn’t go to anyone for help if their gambling became a problem. People need to know support is available, without judgment, should they need it. We made a conscious decision to offer a gambling block with a 72-hour cooling off period to support customers making decisions that are right for them."

In the meantime, research has shown that younger people, those aged 18-25, are more likely to gamble daily and gamble more money each month. Younger gamblers also tend to suffer more from gambling-related issues.

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