Problem gambling

The Policy Centre has published a new research paper Problem Gambling in Jersey. The paper brings together relevant information on problem gambling in Jersey. There is little data specific to Jersey, but relevant UK and Guernsey statistics and analysis are drawn on. The summary of the paper is set out below.

• If the UK experience applies in Jersey, 500 people experience problem gambling, nearly 4,000 gamble at elevated risk and around 7,000 people are negatively affected by someone else’s gambling.
• The direct cost to the Government of harmful gambling in Jersey is probably around £1 million and the societal value of health impacts is equivalent to between £1.5 million and £2.1 million.
• Evidence from Guernsey suggests that the prevalence of problem gambling is nearly twice as high as in the UK. If the position in Jersey is nearer to that of Guernsey, then the adverse effects are much higher. Similarly, problem gambling is much higher in the Isle of Man than in the UK.
• Gambling in Jersey is regulated by the Gambling (Jersey) Law 2012. The Jersey Gambling Commission is the regulator.
• Around 200 people “self-exclude” from gambling premises.
• The Channel Islands Lottery includes scratchcards, which are widely available at supermarkets and smaller shops across the Islands and are often available at the counter. The Lottery clearly constitutes gambling and is as relevant to at-risk and problem gambling as other forms of gambling, but is exempted from the gambling legislation.
• There is limited help for those with problem gambling.
• The Chair of the Jersey Gambling Commission has repeatedly said that gambling is a serious problem in Jersey and that insufficient attention is paid to it.
• The first Jersey public health strategy, published in March 2023, is silent on gambling. This is not because the issue is not understood by the Director of Public Health but rather because there are other priorities.
• If it is wished to do more to tackle problem gambling then the first stage should be to undertake a more detailed analysis than has been possible in this note and use this to develop a strategy, drawing on the experience of Guernsey and other jurisdictions. Any strategy will require more funding than is currently available.
• Two specific policy issues are whether the Channel Islands Lottery should continue to be exempted from gambling legislation and the need for a treatment service on-Island.

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