UKGC Stands by Its Gambling Survey Amid Criticism over Methodology
UK Gambling Commission Addresses Criticism of Survey Methods
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is set to release its latest Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). This survey has attracted criticism in the past, with some experts pointing out potential sampling biases. In response, the UKGC has firmly rejected allegations that it deliberately produces inaccurate survey results.
Transparency in Survey Development and Methodology
The UKGC acknowledges that no survey method is without flaws, but emphasizes its commitment to transparency. Throughout the design and execution of the GSGB, the commission has publicly shared extensive technical details. This openness includes engaging with various stakeholders and independent experts to refine the survey methods.
The survey’s methodology was not adopted lightly; it evolved through pilot studies and experimental phases before becoming the official standard for the UKGC’s statistical reporting. Despite past criticisms, the regulator insists it has consistently highlighted both the strengths and limitations of its approach.
Concerns Raised by Independent Critics
Criticism resurfaced last year when the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) highlighted several areas for improvement in the GSGB. This critique was supported by research from Professor Patrick Sturgis of the London School of Economics (LSE), who conducted an independent review of the first GSGB.
Professor Sturgis found that the survey might overrepresent gambling participation due to a sampling bias: individuals who gamble are more likely to respond to a gambling-focused survey, skewing results. This non-response bias may lead to an overestimation of how many people gamble and the extent of gambling-related harm.
Further studies led by Sturgis and colleagues from LSE and NatCen Social Research in 2025 investigated this concern. Their experiments revealed that explicitly mentioning gambling in the survey invitation increased reported gambling participation by about 4%. They also noted a 1.8% higher rate of respondents scoring above zero on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), although this latter finding was not statistically significant.
In light of these insights, the UKGC has taken steps to adjust its methodology by incorporating some of the recommended changes.
Additional Critique and UKGC’s Response
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has also criticized the UKGC’s survey methodology. They often reference the National Health Service (NHS) data, which reports that approximately 0.7% of the population experiences problem gambling. This contrasts sharply with the GSGB findings, which indicate 2.7% of participants score eight or higher on the PGSI, suggesting more prevalent gambling issues.
The UKGC argues that because the GSGB and NHS surveys use different methodologies, their results are not directly comparable. They advise that policymakers should examine the GSGB data in conjunction with other research to gain the most accurate and complete picture of gambling behaviors in Great Britain.
Recent Developments Involving the UKGC
Separately, the UKGC was involved in a notable regulatory action where Evolution agreed to a $6.4 million settlement relating to a license review initiated in 2024.
