UofG research gives greater understanding of gambling products and motivations
Published: 6 February 2025
Research shows a stronger association between casinos/slot machines and gambling harms than previously understood - and gives further insight into reasons for gambling.
University of Glasgow led research shows a stronger association between casinos/slot machines and gambling harms than has been previously understood - and gives further insight into people’s reasons for gambling.
Gambling on casino games - either at a casino or online, or gambling on fruit/slot games in person or online - are highly associated with the experience of problem gambling, finds research undertaken by the University of Glasgow for the Gambling Commission.
Although strong associations between gambling harms and these products have previously been established, it wasn’t clear if people’s wider gambling behaviours were actually more responsible for these associations than their engagement in a specific type of gambling.
Using data from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), researchers tested this out by analysing if the association between a range of gambling activities and gambling harms remained when people’s wider gambling involvement (the number of other gambling activities and the frequency of gambling activities) were taken into account. Results showed that irrespective of how much other gambling people are doing, there remains a significant association between engaging in many fast, continuous gambling formats, like casino games and fruit/slot machines, and the experience of problem gambling.
However, the report also showed that several gambling activities were not associated with gambling harms once wider gambling behaviours were taken into account. These included lottery products, bingo (both online and played at a club) and online betting on sports/races.
A second report analysed people’s reasons for gambling, finding those who engage in sports betting were most likely report gambling for excitement, whereas those engaging in things like fruit machines or online slots were more likely to report gambling for escapism or to relieve tension.
UofG’s Professor Heather Wardle, who led the research, said: “It’s widely recognised that different gambling products have different levels of risk associated with them. Our research suggests that, in Britain, any form of casino gambling or gambling on fruit/slot machines and their online equivalents are the forms most highly associated with harms. To date, the government action to prevent harms has focused on online slots. This is a start, but our data shows that focus should be placed on a wider range of activities, including physical slot machines.”
First published: 6 February 2025