GambleAware has called on The National Lottery to do more to signpost gambling support services as a matter of urgency, noting that it is not a risk-free vertical.
According to research released by the charity, collected via a YouGov survey of more than 18,000 adults, three out of four members of the public want more from The National Lottery in terms of directing people towards problem gambling support.
In turn, GambleAware has contacted The National Lottery operator Allwyn, “urging” the firm to “direct people to help and support available”.
Of those surveyed, 84% agreed that participating in The National Lottery is a form of gambling, while 46% disagreed, saying that it is harmless.
A majority of 74% believe The National Lottery should advertise gambling-related harm support services on its products.
GambleAware has outlined the products it wishes to see treatment providers advertised on, including draw tickets, scratchcards and online instant win games.
The findings echo results recorded in 2023, when 69% of those surveyed encouraged The National Lottery to signpost GambleAware the same way “other gambling adverts do”.
This is not the first time The National Lottery has been urged to implement such measures.
In 2022, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Select Committee publicly declared that more needed to be done to promote gambling-related harm treatment services, but the request was ignored.
A key reason behind GambleAware’s current plea centres around The National Lottery’s reach. Its ability to engage with more people experiencing gambling harm than any other operator is a cause for concern given the current lack of signposting, according to the charity.
Prior research conducted by GambleAware claimed that The National Lottery could have as many as 600,000 participants currently experiencing some form of gambling-related harm.
GambleAware’s update read: “The National Lottery’s reach among those experiencing gambling harm means it has a critical role to play in preventing and reducing gambling harm.
“This, alongside its popularity and public trust in its brand, means that measures taken by The National Lottery operator to improve signposting across its products and advertising could have a substantial positive impact.”
Andy Boucher, GambleAware chair of trustees, added: “Allwyn, The National Lottery’s current operator, has previously stated that ‘player safety is our top priority’ and it must live up to those words and play a critical role in protecting people from gambling harm, which is a serious public health issue that can drive societal inequalities, worsen mental health issues and increase pressure on our over-burdened health system.
“This is why we are calling for clearer signposting on The National Lottery’s products and advertising.
“The signposting we want to see is already a minimum standard across other charity lotteries, and we believe that it is only right that The National Lottery adopts them, as an organisation whose purpose is to benefit good causes and have a positive effect on society.”
In a comment provided to EGR by Allwyn, a spokesperson for the National Lottery operator stated: “We signpost to a range of front-line gambling support services across The National Lottery website, communications, products and marketing. All Scratchcards and draw-based games tickets feature details of GamCare and the National Gambling Helpline – which is run by GamCare and commissioned by GambleAware.
“Responsible play on The National Lottery has provided enormous societal benefits across the UK with £50bn raised for Good Causes since 1994. We’ll continue to work with GambleAware as part of our ongoing £1.6m annual commitment to support Research, Treatment and Prevention of gambling-related harm.”
The post GambleAware: National Lottery urgently needs to signpost treatment services first appeared on EGR Intel.
UK charity stresses the importance of promoting gambling-related harm treatment providers via products such as draws, scratchcards and online instant win games
The post GambleAware: National Lottery urgently needs to signpost treatment services first appeared on EGR Intel.