Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2018 to Question 125605, whether his Department plans to commission research to ascertain the number of problem gamblers aged under 18 and under in the UK.

Protecting children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling is a core objective of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, and a priority for the government. Operators offering gambling services to people in Great Britain must have a licence from the Gambling Commission and must have effective policies and procedures designed to prevent underage gambling.

The Gambling Commission run an annual survey of gambling behaviour among 11-16 year olds in Great Britain, which gives an estimate of rates of participation in gambling activities and problem gambling. The 2018 survey will include a sample of 17 year olds and is likely to be published later this year.

In August 2017 the Gambling Commission published a report using Health Survey data into gambling behaviour in those aged 16 years old and over.

The 2017 Young People and Gambling report found that 12% of 11-16 year olds had spent their own money on gambling in the week prior to completing the survey, down from 16% in 2016. Although some forms of gambling are legal for 11-16 year olds, for example, betting between friends or on crane grab machines in Family Entertainment Centres, the law is clear that children are not allowed to gamble in pubs, betting offices or bingo halls. Where there is a failure to prevent underage gambling, the Gambling Commission has a range of powers to act, including regulatory and/or criminal action. The Gambling Commission is funded on a cost-recovery basis by licence fees paid by operators.

The majority of dedicated treatment for gambling disorders is administered by the charity GambleAware who commission the National Gambling Helpline and a national network of treatment services, mostly through GamCare. These are available to problem gamblers of any age, including young people. Problem gamblers can also access treatment services in primary and secondary care including specialised mental health services. Local authority commissioned specialist drug and alcohol services may also be able to offer treatment where a service for broader addictions has been specified.