Gambless report reveals English speakers at more risk of problem gambling
Ladbrokes revealed as the most frequently used operator in the UK by Gambless users in inaugural report
The first ever annual report from Gambless, the mobile app designed to prevent and help users recover from gambling addiction, has revealed that English speakers are most vulnerable to problem gambling while Italian speakers are at the lowest risk. Using Italian speakers as the benchmark, the report informs that Russians are 27% more likely to report problem gambling, while English speakers from the US, UK and Australia are 57% more likely. It has been suggested that the low severity in Italy is due to the ban on gambling advertising since 2019. The high number of English speakers could be attributed, the report continues, to the use of more “aggressive CRM marketing comms” of UK firms. Following user feedback and a self-awareness test conducted by Gambless, it was found that 96% of users were at mid-risk of problem gambling while 85% had difficulties dealing with emotions. Another key finding of the report was that the firm mentioned most frequently by those deemed ‘problem gamblers’ in the UK is Ladbrokes while those in the US mention DraftKings, with PokerStars and TAB mentioned in Italy and Australia respectively. The report also indicates that just 2% of problem gamblers seek treatment resulting in the nickname the “hidden addiction”.
Meanwhile, as per UK Gambling Commission data, the regulator acted against 17 operators in 2021, out of which the licences of six were suspended and £18m in fines was collected. Maurizio Savino, CEO of Gambless, said: “Thinking of responsible gambling as a compliance requirement is anachronistic and short sighted. For consumers, perceived risks is crucial in the decision-making process. Thus, for gambling companies, integrating safety tools goes beyond any compliance obligation and it represents a strategic choice. “Mental health is a much-discussed topic these days, yet for many people getting the right kind of support is still a challenge. We are a young and fast growing healthtech start-up, operating in a multi-market environment and poised for global leadership.” Gambless was developed with the assistance of a team of psychologists who have created a number of techniques including cognitive behavioural therapy and Gestalt therapy.