Guernsey health boss fears gambling rates are on the rise

Research suggests 79.9% of Guernsey residents gambled between 2019 and 2020

Health experts believe gambling rates in Guernsey may have increased because of Covid and economic challenges.

Research commissioned by Public Health Services Guernsey showed 79.9% of locals gambled between 2019 and 2020.

This figure is above both the Isle of Man - at 75.9 per cent - and Great Britain, which stood at 57%.

However, a public health boss believes the impact of the Covid pandemic and financial issues may have now pushed Guernsey's level above 80%.

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

The report has now been published after very long delays caused by Covid, with Public Health Services using it to determine the "pre-pandemic position" for the island.

Levels likely to have 'worsened'

Director of public health Dr Nicola Brink said the current level had probably increased four years after the initial research took place.

Dr Brink said: "It is my view that pandemic pressures and the ongoing economic challenges that have followed are likely, if anything, to have worsened or exacerbated the trends that were detected in 2019/2020.

"Hence, we can think of the findings as the minimum extent of the issues affecting Guernsey residents in 2024 and beyond."

Lottery tickets and scratch cards

The research showed the Channel Islands Christmas Lottery was the most popular activity with 67.5% participating, including some below the legal age limit of 18.

Buying scratch cards was the second highest activity with 46.3% purchasing one, compared to 29.3% in the Isle of Man and 21% across Great Britain.

The research also found those who gambled had a significantly higher risk of poor health indicators such as obesity, smoking or violence.