A UKGC survey suggests that people find it hard to trust responsible gambling tools for online gambling sites due to the commercial interests of operators. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

The findings from a recent UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) survey revealed some startling insights on how gamblers in the region view operators.

The research involving 25 online gambling addicts who are part of the regulator’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) shows many people don’t trust the responsible gambling tools that online sites offer.

They know that the companies behind these platforms have an incentive for users to spend more and keep betting, with some people seeing the presence of account restriction options as simply a “PR exercise.”

external factors that can contribute to a person developing problematic behavior

The study also looked at other areas, like the external factors that can contribute to a person developing problematic behavior, and ways in which individuals can better protect themselves from potentially adverse consequences.

One of the big recommendations from the project is that the industry needs to find ways to instill total trust in support options and for additional research into several key subjects, like the relevance of important life stages and events in identifying potential triggers for gambling addiction.