The research project, which NIESR hopes will contribute to the UK Government’s ongoing review of the 2005 Gambling Act, will focus specifically on gambling’s impact on “individuals, communities and the wider society.”
NIESR also aims to provide a comprehensive measurement of the economic effects of gambling, using theoretical models and existing research to simulate the impact of different policy choices.
Professor Adrian Pabst, Deputy Director and Research Lead, NIESR, commented: “Gambling is an important part of the UK’s economic and social landscape, but we do not have a sufficiently accurate understanding of its benefits and costs, notably the economic costs of gambling-related harm. We welcome this opportunity to conduct a rigorous assessment and help build an impartial evidence base.”
The research team, led by Professor Pabst, will include a number of leading academic economists, health experts, the Treasury and government stakeholders. It was recently announced that a Gambling Review white paper is expected to be published this spring.
Dr James Noyes, Advisory Board Chair, said: “NIESR has an unparalleled reputation when it comes to the analysis of complex economic activity. I am delighted that NIESR is bringing its considerable expertise to the question of gambling-related harm.”
The project is expected to conclude in the summer of 2022, with a report due to be published around the same time.
NIESR predicts this project could lay the foundations for a longitudinal study to further understand the link between gambling, household finances and the UK economy.
