Law changes linked to problem gambling increase

In 2005 gambling laws in the UK were relaxed so that more casinos could be opened and bookmakers were free to advertise as we know they do extensively; but in recent general casino news articles these changes are being used as the reason for an increase in the number of problem gamblers. The then Prime Minister of the UK Mr Gordon Brown reversed a previous decision to open a super casino in Manchester but at the same time removed the requirement for visitors to casinos to register 24 hours in advance of playing. Now the Gambling Commission in the UK has released a report suggesting that the number of problem gamblers has increased by some 30% in about three years and is blaming the relaxed laws although at the same time admitting that the  survey which interviewed only around 7500 people was “imprecise” and could be effected by a change in testing methods. Although not contained in the casino news report, here at onlinecasino.ie we would question how honest the answers might be if a problem gambler is asked whether they have a problem; as we have pointed out on previous occasions the first step to solving a gambling problem is to admit that you have a problem and it therefore follows that a number of those interviewed who have a problem do not realise it. The conclusion of the report can only be as stated “The survey indicates that a small but probably growing proportion of the population have serious problems with their gambling. At www.onlinecasino.ie we believe that law changes have had very little influence on gambling habits mainly because we read on a regular basis when bookmakers publish results that online gambling continues to rise in popularity.