Scots are UK’s biggest gamblers

Online research conducted by the polling company YouGov shows more than a quarter of adult Scots (28 per cent) gamble at least once a week, over five times the number of adults in the South West of England (5 per cent).

The research also revealed that over a third (37 per cent) of Scottish gamblers would like to hide the extent of their gambling from colleagues, compared to just 12 per cent in the West Midlands which was the most secretive region in the rest of the UK.

More than one in four working adults who gamble (28 per cent) across Great Britain would prefer to keep the extent of their gambling hidden from their colleagues, according to the study, and the problem is particularly acute in the finance, accountancy and legal sectors, where more than a third (34 per cent) worry about their work colleagues finding out about their gambling.

Those with management responsibility are more likely to have gambled in the last year than those without management responsibility (45 per cent vs 39 per cent). Almost three quarters of people surveyed (72 per cent) think that businesses should be concerned about the negative impact of gambling on their employees.

The problem is having an impact on the UK economy, with 3 per cent of adults knowing someone who has lost their jobs as a result of problem gambling, and many who are out of work being unable to get a job because of their compulsive behaviour or because they cannot afford the cost of travelling to an interview or buying work clothes.

In London, 43 per cent of people have gambled in the last 12 months, and 13 per cent know someone for whom gambling has affected their work.

In the North West, 43 per cent of people have gambled in the last 12 months, and nearly one third (32 per cent) would like to hide their gambling from their colleagues

In Wales, nearly half the population (49 per cent) have gambled in the last 12 months, the second highest region in Great Britain and over a third (35 per cent) would like to hide their gambling from work colleagues, the third highest region in the UK and nearly three times as many as those in the West Midlands (12 per cent).

In the North East, more than half (57 per cent) of the population have gambled in the last 12 months, the highest region in Great Britain and compared to just a third (34 per cent) in the South West. Over a quarter (26%) in the North East have gambled in the last week, the highest region in England.

16 per cent of people in Yorkshire & Humber know someone for whom gambling has affected their work, the highest region in Great Britain and more than three times in the West Midlands (5 per cent).

Unemployed people are twice as likely to use controversial Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, one of the major growth areas for high street betting shops, as those who are in work (8 per cent vs 4 per cent). With an estimated 35,000 machines across the UK, bets of up to £100 can be placed every 20 seconds, meaning a problem gambler could lose up to £1,500 in just five minutes.

Martin Fallon, managing director of Reed in Partnership, the firm which commissioned the survey, said: “It’s important that we provide adequate support and guidance for those who are at risk of losing their jobs because of gambling, and those whose addiction is stopping them from getting back into the workplace.

“Reed in Partnership also conducted interviews with their employment advisers who provide one to one and small group advice to those who are out of work. They reported that many young men including those with learning difficulties - talking openly about losing while gambling.”

One of Reed in Partnership’s employment advisers, who works with the long term unemployed, said: “Jobseekers already struggle when on JSA to make ends meet and by gambling they are entering a vicious circle which can be hard to break and cause debt, black listing or even crime.”

The full report can be read in full by clicking here.