A trade association is encouraging the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to improve its strategy and policies and better support betting companies in using data and statistics.

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) put out a statement following the Commission’s publication of Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB) data, gathered during the second year of the survey.

IoL argues that the UKGC needs to improve user confidence in the survey, and that a more detailed improvement plan is needed if the recommendations made by Professor Patrick Sturgis of London School of Economics, based on the survey, are to be adopted smoothly.

This should sit alongside a user engagement strategy and information on the quality assurance and validation processes of the GSGB, the IoL believes. The organisation argues that building trust among the GSGB’s users should be a priority for the UKGC.

The GSGB began in 2023 as a two year study of how Britons engage with the gambling sector, and how their behaviour may have changed during this time. This coincided with the review of the 2005 Gambling Act, party functioning as a means to support UKGC policy and guidelines, and industry best practice.

The second year datasets identified scratchcards, sports betting and online instant win games as being the most associated with higher risk. These products were the most frequently used non-lottery products, being used by 12%, 10% and 7% of respondents.

Additionally, the study has reiterated some points about the increasing digitisation of gambling, particularly among younger demographics, which are also more likely to engage with non-lottery products. The survey found that males aged 18-24 became the most active group, with a 47% participation rate, once lottery products were excluded.

These statistics, just some examples out of many, clearly give industry stakeholders across a range of disciplines a lot of food for thought. The IoL argues though that this can be built on further.

The association states that the UKGC should “consider how it can align further development of these statistics, including the detail that is provided and how it is presented, with user needs”.

Another issue lies in what stakeholders understanding of the survey is, and how it relates to the wider UK ambling ecosystem. The IoL is encouraging the Commission to look at how GSGB data can relate to other statistics, such as those derived from the Health Survey for England and the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey.

This is an interesting point given that the UKGC itself has often urged UK gambling stakeholders to make better use of data, and learn from other industries like the finance sector when it comes to data sharing and using stats to inform policy and practices.

“To benefit future statistics development and address diverse stakeholder needs, the Gambling Commission should broaden its stakeholder network and collaborate further with official statistics producers,” the IoL’s seventh recommendation read.

However, combining GSGB data with stats from the likes of the Health Survey for England could also lend more to the argument that gambling should be framed as a public health issue rather than a business one – something that neither the UKGC nor the government have committed to, though some campaigners including MPs are becoming more and more vocal in favour of this.

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) and the Health Quality Assurance Organisation (OHQA) have joined forces to combat gambling addiction in Greece.

Greek authorities have agreed to a three-year Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to establish a new joint approach to preventing gambling addiction, while enhancing social support for those affected.

The cooperation will begin with the HGC and OHQA forming a ‘Coordination Committee’ to act as the supervisory body for the implementation of a new national strategy on gambling addiction.

OHQA Chief Executive, Christos Nestoras, stated: “The Memorandum of Understanding aims to deepen cooperation with the Hellenic Gaming Commission. The formation of a modern and functional framework based on scientific documentation, respect for citizens and practical support for those in need is a common goal of our bodies.”

Of concern, Greece is witnessing a growing problem of teenage gambling. A recent study by the Mental Health Research Institute (EPIPSY) found that 36% of first-year high school students in Greece gambled for money in 2024 — well above the European Union average of 23%.

Furthermore, 7% of Greek teenagers are already showing early warning signs of developing a gambling addiction.

The Memorandum outlines four key objectives: increasing public awareness around responsible gaming, implementing early risk detection methods, expanding access to counselling services, and developing treatment programmes and extended support systems for affected individuals and their families.

Dimitris Ntzanatos
Dimitris Ntzanatos, President of the HGC, hailed the agreement as a pivotal change in Greece’s approach to gambling harm.

“It is with great satisfaction that we inaugurate our new collaboration with ODIPY and we are delighted that we will be given the opportunity to achieve, through our coordination, the utilisation of know-how and the avoidance of bureaucratic obstacles, effective solutions to a problem with significant social and economic impacts,” he said.

The intervention arrives at a critical time for the country, with authorities working to combat teenage addiction. According to self-reported data, Greek teenagers have easy access to alcohol and cannabis, with 92% stating they can obtain alcohol without difficulty. The EPIPSY study also found a sharp rise in vaping among 16-year-olds, increasing from 43% in 2019 to 54% in 2024.

The research points to broader behavioural risks among Greek youth, including rising exposure to alcohol and drugs, and a growing preference for e-cigarettes and gambling. Experts warn that aggressive marketing and ease of access are key drivers behind these escalating trends.

These developments highlight the urgent need for coordinated public health and regulatory measures to mitigate the long-term consequences of youth addiction behaviours in Greece.