The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) will hold a conference in March to obtain a better understanding of gambling and the gambling behavior of UK customers. A total of 150 stakeholders from research, academia, and the gambling industry will participate in the conference, with representatives from the third sector and the UKGC’s own advisory bodies also expected to be in attendance.

UKGC Recognizes Limited Understanding of Gambling and Gambling Habits

Despite the increasing range of consumer research, gambling datasets, and analytics made available in recent years, the UKGC’s Director of Research and Statistics Ben Haden admitted that the collective understanding of general gambling behavior in the UK remains incomplete. The upcoming conference on March 9 is aimed at “closing the gaps” in knowledge regarding gambling.

The event kicks off with a speech from Alison Pritchard, Deputy National Statistician and Director General for Data Capability at the Office for National Statistics. Throughout the conference, there will be panels, presentations, and engagement on major topics and Q&As for the day. The event will be attended by a diverse line-up of speakers from within and outside the gambling industry. 

Conference Encourages Collaboration of Views

Haden acknowledges that with the diversity of attendees and speakers at the event, there will surely be mixed views on key subjects. But what’s important is that everyone gets to “be honest” about things they lack knowledge about, with the conference serving as an avenue for collaboration among stakeholders.