Following a voluntary review request by the Gambling Commission, the UK's Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) recently released a report suggesting nine reforms for the "Great Britain Gambling Survey" (GSGB) aimed at improving data quality, transparency, and public trust.
The OSR noted that the GSGB, as a foundational data source for gambling policy, should enhance control over statistical methods, data biases, and verification processes, implementing improvements previously suggested by Professor Sturgis.
The recommendations include requiring the Gambling Commission to develop a comprehensive improvement plan, strengthen data verification mechanisms, and enhance explanations and communications about potential biases in the "Gambling Code." Additionally, the OSR suggests cross-referencing GSGB results with other official survey data, such as the "Health Survey for England" and the "Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey," to increase data reliability.
Moreover, the OSR recommends that the Gambling Commission establish a more effective user feedback mechanism, expand participation from external stakeholders, and publicize data communication strategies to enhance public understanding and trust in the survey.
The OSR also encourages the Commission to pay more attention to user needs in data presentation, improving report readability and practicality.
It is noteworthy that last year, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) also questioned the methodology of the GSGB, suggesting that its sample and execution standards might affect the accuracy of industry policies.
This review comes at a time when the Gambling Commission is actively advancing financial risk assessments and gambling harm research projects, seeking a balance between consumer protection and regulatory science.
