States has dithered on gambling

The difference in revenue generated in the two islands has been as high as £3.2m. despite the population divide.

A new study should shine a light on whether Guernsey’s love affair with scratchcards is driven by problem gambling, while also taking a glance at other potential issues like loot boxes in video games.

The States has paid lip-service to gambling problems for far too long.

It relies on the scratchcard proceeds to help cover the deficit at Beau Sejour and Christmas lottery ticket sales help fund charitable work, although given the significant running costs the charities would benefit much more if people cut out the middle man and gave them the money instead.

Scratchcard revenue is more than 10 times what it was in 2007 after an unfettered drive to ramp up sales.

Substantial year-on-year growth began when prize money went up in 2010.

There are all sorts of alarm bells that should be ringing and the question remains whether it is all just harmless fun or the indicators of a costly, potentially destructive addiction that the States is complicit in.

The courts are where the cases of addiction come to light in their most stark form, but more will be happening out of sight and until now largely out of mind.

In the UK, The Royal College of Psychiatrists says that gambling is a problem for about nine people in every 1,000 – about 1% of the population.

The survey should show whether this is mirrored here.

Average household spend on lottery games was £261 per annum in Guernsey, compared to £190 in Jersey, but there is no public understanding of whether this is a disproportionate drain on an individual or their family.

The gambling research commissioned by Health & Social Care will for the first time either allay any fears or provide a basis for a targeted approach. It has taken far too long to get to this stage, we can only hope the research provides the clarity needed..