Research on the Consequences of Gambling

About the study

The Gambling Commission has commissioned The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to conduct interviews with people who completed the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). This research will help better understand the journeys of these individuals and provide deeper insights into varied experiences of adverse consequences from gambling.

The Gambling Commission license, regulate, advise, and provide guidance to the individuals and businesses that offer gambling in Great Britain. They conduct and commission a range of research to gather evidence about how people gamble and factors that affect the way they play.

What is my involvement? 

As you took part in the Gambling Survey for Great Britain last year we would like to invite you to take part in an interview to talk about your experience and journey with gambling and any consequences you may have experienced from your gambling. The interview will last up to 60 minutes and will take place over the phone or Microsoft Teams at a time convenient for you. With your permission, the interview will be audio recorded using secure and encrypted software, so that there is a detailed and accurate record of the conversation.

As a thank you for your time, you will receive a £30 online shopping voucher.

Key interview topics will include:

• Your journey and experience with gambling;
• Any consequences you have experienced related to gambling; 
• Any factors that may have influenced or contributed to any consequences you experienced from gambling;
• Anything that has helped to prevent any negative consequences from occurring.  

Is the discussion confidential? 

The research team will manage your personal data, which will be stored securely and in strict confidence in accordance with the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR). This research has been approved by NatCen’s Research Ethics Committee.

The information you provide will be combined with data from other interviews and used to write a report and presentation for the Gambling Commission. Only the research team at NatCen and our trusted transcription service will see the information you provide. Your data will be anonymised in the report so you cannot be identified. Your personal details and the interview data collected will be stored securely and deleted as soon as possible after the completion of the project, due in April 2025.

Do I have to take part?

Participation in the evaluation is entirely voluntary and if you agree to participate you are free to change your mind at any point before, during, and after the interview. During the interview discussion, you are also free not to answer any questions you would prefer not to answer.

How can I take part? 

Please email GSGB_interviews@natcen.ac.uk with your availability. We will respond to your email to arrange a short phone call before inviting you to participate in an interview (which will take place at a time convenient for you) to better understand your experiences and answer any questions you have. However, please note that we may be recruiting from a larger group of potential participants, therefore participation is not guaranteed.

Who is carrying out the research?

Find out more about NatCen and what we do here: natcen.ac.uk/who-are-natcen.

Privacy

In compliance with the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let you know about how your information will be handled.

Click here to read the privacy notice.

Contact us

For more information or to ask any question please contact the project team at:

Email: GSGB_interviews@natcen.ac.uk 
Phone: 0808 168 1503

Support 

We understand that thinking or talking about your experiences regarding gambling might be distressing. Please see the below contact details of organisations who you can talk to if you feel you need support.

National Gambling Helpline – confidential advice, support, and information on problem gambling.
Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (Freephone 24 hours, 365 days a year)

GamCare – free information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling.
Website and Live Chat: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ 

Samaritans – free and confidential emotional support if you need to talk.
Helpline: 116 123 (24 hours) 
Email: jo@samaritans.org  
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/ 

Citizens Advice – advice on finance, debt, benefits, employment, housing, discrimination.
Telephone: 0800 144 8848 – Adviceline (England); 0800 702 2020 – Advicelink (Wales) (Mon-Fri 9am–5pm)
Chat service: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/chat-service-money-and-debt/ 
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/