Previous estimates about the extent of problem gambling in Great Britain have ranged widely. This wide range makes it difficult for policy makers to understand and act on the true level of problem gambling. It is possible that the ways in which researchers conduct surveys affect the accuracy of estimates of problematic gambling. This study examined how different approaches to surveys can influence estimates about the extent of problem gambling. To do so, the researchers compared results from eight different surveys that estimated problem gambling using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. Each of these surveys used different sampling and data collection strategies.
The researchers found that surveys conducted online estimated higher levels of problem gambling than surveys conducted in-person. This finding did not change regardless of whether the online surveys used probability or non-probability sampling. The results show that online surveys tend to overrepresent people who are more likely to gamble online and to gamble frequently. In turn, online and frequent gambling are associated with a higher risk of gambling harm.
