UKGC extends research consultation phase until February 26

UKGC has extended the consultation phase of its feedback on its research methodologies with regards to gambling participation and problem gambling.
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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has extended the consultation phase of its feedback on its research methodologies with regards to gambling participation and how problem gambling prevalence is measured across the United Kingdom.

The consultation was originally due to close on February 12. Now, it has been extended by a further two-weeks until February 26, giving respondents more time to participate in what is considered to be a critical area of the government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act.

The regulator was directed to review its research methodologies to provide the government and UK health services with the most precise data on gambling participation and further insights on elements influencing problem gambling.

Feedback the Commission receives will help it review how it gathers data and promotes statistics on UK gambling participation and problem gambling which, to date, has been compiled following the government’s ‘Statistical Service in the Code of Practice for Statistics’.

The need for ‘reliable facts’ on problem gambling statistics was cited as an urgent requirement of the government’s gambling review by the select committees’ of Lord Grade and Lord Foster.

A vital area of concern, public feedback on research methodologies runs alongside key consultations on gambling affordability measures, safer gambling interactions and operators’ additional customer care duties and controls.