OSR recommends changes to Gambling Survey after review

A review of the Gambling Survey for Great Britain, which is funded by the regulator, has been undertaken, with recommendations that it needs to build trust with users.

This survey focuses on collecting information about gaming, betting and playing and it is funded by the Gambling Commission. It’s through this that the details about gaming, betting and playing habits, attitudes and harms experienced across the adult population in Great Britain become known.

The data is also used to inform policy changes in the industry and can be referred to in the decision-making process by policy makers.

Now, the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has completed a review and has identified nine recommendations that the Gambling Commission should address. There’s an expectation that the regulator should respond publicly by July 2025, with proposed actions and progress against each of the recommendations.

The recommendations first include improving user confidence in the survey, followed by providing assurance to users and enhancing confidence in the data. It’s suggested that there should be more detailed information on its quality assurance and validation processes.

Moving on to the third, the OSR states it should support appropriate interpretation and use of the data. It also suggests it should support user understanding of the GSGB’s role in the broader gambling data landscape.

Another is to ensure that user needs are sought, documented and considered, with a user engagement strategy advised to be created and implemented.

In sixth, it mentions that it needs to build trust with users and should remain open to receiving challenges, provide feedback to users on their contributions and clearly communicate what can and cannot be addressed.

“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,” is seventh.

Improving the effectiveness of its communication is another, with a communication strategy suggested to be published detailing how it will approach sharing GSGB updates with users and stakeholders.

Finally, the ninth suggestion is to “enhance the usability and accessibility of GSGB outputs, the Gambling Commission 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.”

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