Alarm as report finds more than half of English people gambled last year
NHS boss says gambling firms must take their responsibilities seriously
Official data show that more than half of people aged 16 or older in England gambled at some point during 2018.
Health chiefs have expressed concern after the Health Survey for England 2018 showed that 53% of people had gambled in 2018, which included buying a lottery ticket, with 56% of men reporting that they had gambled and 49% of women.
The chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, said: “These new stats are a stark reminder of how common gambling is in our society and how easy it is to become addicted, particularly with the aggressive push into online gambling.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He said the NHS is “rolling out new specialist services to tackle mental ill health linked to gambling addiction, as part of our long-term plan” but added that “it is high time that all these firms who spend many millions on marketing and advertising step up to the plate and take their responsibilities seriously”.
However, The Guardian points out that the figures have been falling in recent years.
In 2016, the Gambling Commission reported that 56% of adults aged 16 or older gambled, while 62% had done so the previous year. In 2012, the first year the issue was covered by the Health Survey for England, 68% of men and 61% of women participated in a gambling activity. Stevens insisted that this does not mean the problem has gone away.
The report also says that millions of people are overweight, drink too much alcohol, eat badly or fail to do enough exercise. The survey found 10% of all men and 5% of women drink alcohol nearly every day, with older age groups are far more likely to drink regularly.
The study found that 26% of men and 29% of women were obese. Overall, 2% of men and 4% of women were morbidly obese.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Parker Palm Springs review: decadence in the California desert
The Week Recommends This over-the-top hotel is a mid-century modern gem
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The real story behind the Stanford Prison Experiment
The Explainer 'Everything you think you know is wrong' about Philip Zimbardo's infamous prison simulation
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Is it safe for refugees to return to Syria?
Talking Point European countries rapidly froze asylum claims after Assad's fall but Syrian refugees may have reason not to rush home
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Locals speculate about aliens in Wales
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The sinister side to India’s fantasy gaming craze
feature Fantasy gaming is booming in India, despite the country's ban on gambling
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published