Guernsey's health chief concerned about rising gambling rates

Health experts believe gambling rates in Guernsey may have increased due to coronavirus and economic challenges.

Research commissioned by Public Health Guernsey found that 79.9% of local residents gambled between 2019 and 2020.

This figure is higher than the Isle of Man's 75.9% and the UK's 57%.

But one public health chief believes Guernsey's levels may now be above 80% due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and financial problems.

The Liverpool John Moores University study was set up in 2019 to “assess the health impact” of gambling on Guernsey's population and looked at a 12-month period.

The report, now released after a lengthy delay due to the coronavirus, is being used by public health authorities to determine the island's “pre-pandemic situation.”

Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink said the current levels had probably increased four years after the first study was carried out.

Dr Brink said: “My view is that the pressures of the pandemic and associated ongoing economic challenges are, if anything, likely to have exacerbated or worsened the trends detected in 2019/2020. .”

“The findings of this study can therefore be considered a minimal scope of the issues that will affect Guernsey residents from 2024 onwards.”

According to the survey, the Channel Islands Christmas Lottery was the most popular activity, with 67.5% participating, including those under the legal age limit of 18.

Purchasing a scratch card was the second highest activity, with 46.3% purchasing it. This compared to 29.3% in the Isle of Man and 21% across the UK.

The study also found that people who gamble were at significantly higher risk of poor health indicators such as obesity, smoking, and violence.