Understanding Problem Gambling Statistics with Melanie Ellis: The Gambling Files RTFM 174

Have you clicked on our sponsors yet? Don’t do it. Optimove is here, and Clarion Gaming is here. Whatever you do, don’t click on ’em, thanks. (Please let us know if our reverse psychology worked on you ... or didn’t!)    The UK’s Gambling Commission recently released some statistics on the prevalence of problem and at-risk gambling. What do these stats mean? And how are these stats different from the results of previous studies?    Returning to the show to discuss these messy numbers is Melanie Ellis, numbers whiz and gambling regulatory lawyer for Northridge Law.    In a nutshell:   * Melanie shares insights on UK gambling industry's "sh!tty mess" of statistics and implications for casino operators.   * The Gambling Commission has switched from a phone survey to an online survey to measure problem gambling rates, with the new methodology yielding a rate of 2.5%.   * The Commission has cautioned against comparing the new rate with previous figures, citing risks of inaccuracy.   * The Gambling Commission's survey methodology is flawed and not representative of the gambling industry.   * Melanie expresses caution about new survey results, suggesting they may not accurately represent problem gambling rates.   * Problem gambling is a significant issue and needs actionable insights rather than perfect surveys.   * Will policymakers take action based on these survey results?    * The gambling industry and the tobacco industry both cause harm and should both be restricted.   Choice quotes:   * “I think the NHS survey gives us a more representative result [on problem gamblers in the UK]. Whereas the Gambling Commission's survey has some self-selection bias, which is an issue.” — Melanie Ellis.   * “I think that policymakers will take the [Gambling Commission's] survey results with a grain of salt.” — Melanie Ellis.   * “The UK Gambling Commission is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Whenever they release a survey, people always complain that they got it wrong and that it’s flawed.” — Fintan Costello.   * “One of the issues that both the UK Government and the Gambling Commission have had is that, because of bureaucracy, it takes so long for things to happen [to address problem gambling].”  — Jon Bruford.     * “[The facial recognition tech on my phone] doesn't recognize me if I'm smiling. That tells you about my life, doesn't it?” — Jon Bruford   Thanks to Melanie Ellis for being on the show!    Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-ellis/   This podcast is presented by Optimove, which is used by 56% of the EGR Power50 to personalize player experiences. Visit Optimove here for more info, not least because it helps to support independent podcasts like ours. Go on, click it! Find out! It’s outstanding.   The Gambling Files podcast delves into the business side of the betting world. Each week, join Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello as they discuss current hot topics with world-leading gambling experts.   Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/   Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkR   Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast    Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/    Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/    The podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/    Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/    Chapters in this episode:    8:45 UK casino industry, slot machines, and the upcoming ICE Barcelona 2015 event.  15:17 Gambling industry statistics and technology.  22:40 Gambling statistics and methodology changes.  32:07 Gambling survey potential biases.  36:47 Problem gambling rates.  41:24 Gambling harm.  53:10 Gambling industry's short-term focus.  58:36 Gambling industry regulation.  This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com