There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about various topics right now, and gambling addiction is one of them.
Unfortunately, the government seems to be involved in spreading misleading narratives, and it’s time we uncover the truth. Thanks to repeated Freedom of Information requests, we’re finally able to bring to light some critical facts the mainstream media has been hiding…
Why should you care? Because this issue is a Trojan horse that gives authorities undue access to your finances, data, and personal freedom.
In this article, we will look at 7 of the worst things they’ve been doing.
Selective Omission of Survey Results:
In 2021, the Gambling Commission conducted a survey regarding attitudes towards affordability checks—those used by sports betting companies to withhold payouts from winners. The results were kept under wraps for three years, despite the public’s right to know.
Through persistent Freedom of Information requests, we learned that a staggering 77% of the 12,000 survey respondents opposed these checks.
Previously, it was claimed that it was not in the best interests of the public to see the results of this public consultation. Pretty insane right?
Instead of informing policy, this critical information was hidden because it contradicted the narrative regulators wanted to promote. Thousands of honest taxpayers have been denied their own money and forced to submit extensive financial records to betting companies as a result.
I’ve raise multiple problems with affordability checks over the last two years. They have been (and still are being) used to help companies exploit consumers.
Sadly, many consumers only find out about these checks after they’ve won some money and wish to withdraw. If they lose; they simply don’t happen.
Manipulation and Misuse of Statistics…
The manipulation and misuse of statistics by Public Health England (PHE) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) have perpetuated the false narrative that up to 496 suicides a year are linked to gambling.
These figures are based on a flawed Swedish study of a troubled group where 60% suffered from anxiety, 51% from depression, and various other disorders. A fair percentage were also repeat addicts in other areas of life – such as alcoholism.
This misleading statistic has been repeatedly cited by mainstream news outlets, shaping policies and pushing for stricter regulations and affordability checks.
The reality is that the public is being fed a false narrative that directly impacts them through intrusive policies.
Take a quick look at the gambling categories on the BBC and Sky News as an example. Aside from politically motivated gambling articles, nearly all are one-sided horror stories. Statistics and anecdotal evidence is often presented as fact or balance.
Funding Bias in Research:
The Gambling Commission has funnelled millions of pounds to organisations with biased agendas, such as the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and Gambling With Lives (GWL). These groups have produced research opposing gambling, often based on unsound science.
Official documents at a DCMS hearing reveal multiple statistics about children, addiction rates, and suicide have been used as evidence.
These organizations have knowingly spread misinformation to influence policy, resulting in intrusive access to personal financial data. Looking at who is carrying out research (and who is funding it) is key here. The regulator has effectively been paying for its own biased research, although they are not the only funding source to routinely appear.
Exaggeration of Problem Gambling Rates…
The recent Gambling Commission survey reported a problem gambling rate of 2.5%, compared to the NHS survey’s 0.3%. This discrepancy isn’t due to a sudden increase in gambling issues but rather because the new survey uses an online method that over-represents frequent gamblers. The perceived problem is exaggerated and has been used to justify intrusive checks and policies.
Worse still, the regulator has specifically stipulated that change in methodology should not be used as a method to report an increase in problem gambling.
Some organisations on the list of regulatory settlements from the Gambling Commission and various left-wing newspapers have done it anyway – the Gambling Commission have not sought to correct this false reporting.
Suppression of Criticism and Independent Review:
Criticism of flawed methods and statistics has been consistently suppressed. The Gambling Commission and associated bodies have ignored calls for transparency and accountability, dismissing valid critiques that highlight inaccuracies. Without transparency, public trust in government and regulation is eroded, leading to even more restrictive policies.
Personally, I have attempted to contact the Commission multiple times – all have been ignored.
On one occasion, I reached out the their CEO who then accused me of being silly when confronting him. No explanation or reply was received – the question still remains.
I’m not alone either, the Racing Post received an open letter from the commission regarding their reporting. It would appear there is some two-tier regulation going on as those other left-wing news sources have and still repeatedly have falsehoods on their pages.
Flawed Suicide Prevention Strategies:
National suicide prevention strategies have been formulated based on incorrect data, particularly concerning gambling-related suicides.
A Freedom of Information request shows the Gambling Commission acknowledged internally that suicide statistics were unreliable, yet this flawed data continues to shape policies. Such misuse of data results in policies more focused on fear-mongering than effective regulation.
Lack of Accountability
Public Health England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, and the Gambling Commission have repeatedly failed to correct known errors in their reports.
Despite hitting out about misinformation, they are yet to acknowledge their own – it’s very clear to see.
Instead, they’ve propagated misleading information that has influenced policy decisions, undermining public trust and causing immense stress for individuals denied fair winnings.
My Final Thoughts…
The Gambling Commission’s failures are far-reaching and not in the publics best interest. These misleading narratives have already had real-world implications for thousands of people. It’s crucial to demand transparency and accountability from those in power.
By sharing this post and spreading awareness, we can push for a fairer and more transparent system that prioritizes the truth and the public’s best interests.
Related: Responsible Gambling Strategies to Stay in Control of Your Betting