New, “pan-European” research conducted by the City, University of London found that of the 20 countries involved in its study, only 12 had regular national surveys about problem gambling prevalence.
And among those 12, there exist “significant differences” regarding measurement tools and methodologies, which “makes any meaningful comparisons between countries difficult.”
Of those 12, seven use gambling prevalence or population-based gambling surveys, while health surveys are employed in three countries. Furthermore, different screening tools are employed in different countries, with only four using more than one screening tool with reference to the same survey.
Three countries, meanwhile, use the number of self-excluded players to estimate problem gambling prevalence levels.
Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s Secretary General, commented: “Our members are fully committed to promoting a stronger culture of safer gambling in Europe and through this study, we aim to contribute positively to the understanding of problem gambling and its prevalence in Europe.
“The significant differences in the way in which problem gambling is monitored and reported in Europe clearly stands out from the study.”
With this in mind, the study concluded that a more common framework for monitoring and reporting problem gambling is required to foster a greater understanding of the issue’s pan-European prevalence.
This conclusion was supported by Haijer and more broadly EGBA, which said it hopes the study will, among other things, “support an open and inclusive dialogue with other stakeholders about best practices.”
Haijer added: “A shift towards a more common and regular monitoring and reporting framework for problem gambling would benefit all gambling sector stakeholders and support more effective and evidence-based prevention policies.”
