For the last few years anti-gambling campaigners have raised their concerns that today’s young people are the future gamblers in the country. For that reason, Scottish authorities are willing to understand what the university students’ opinion about the activity is, as well as about cryptocurrency.
This is exactly why a Scottish organisation called Fast Forward which promotes health and well-being for younger generations, is carrying out research and has called on university students to provide some feedback on cryptocurrency and gambling. Fast Forward is working in collaboration with two more organisations – Tackling Gambling Stigma and RCA Trust – to finalise its research on the matter.
The organisations have created an online survey that is especially targeting students, promising them anonymity. Although the names of the participants would not be revealed, the results of the research could be made public. The Scotland-based organisation that has initiated the survey claims it can be completed in under 10 minutes.
The research is aimed at exploring some of the leading topics in the consumer world. Considering the fact that the country’s gambling industry has increased in popularity over the past few years, it is important to understand what the younger audiences in the country think of gambling so that a more efficient policy and operational development is provided.
On the other hand, cryptocurrency is still one of the hottest topics in the country, with Brexit having led to increased interest in digital currency, especially as a new form of income for UK people.
UKGC Also Gathers Customers’ Feedback on Gambling-Related Issues
Apart from gambling and digital currency, the survey that has been recently released by Fast Forward also covers another matter of interest – loot boxes. The Scottish charity organisation asks the participants to share whether they play video games and if so, to share whether they have ever purchased so-called in-game items. In light of the recent controversy involving loot boxes, one of the questions asks whether the participants consider those rewards, loot boxes, in-game items, or whatever they wish to call them, a form of gambling.
So far, Fast Forward has not revealed what the purpose behind the research is, though Tackling Gambling Stigma and RCA Trust are safe gambling and health-related organisations. According to experts, it is likely that their goal is to gather enough data in order to update policy.
At the same time, the country’s main gambling regulatory body – the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) – is also examining how younger people view gambling-related harm. The watchdog holds periodic surveys in order to get more in-depth feedback on consumer opinion and has previously hinted that these surveys could help it alter its regulatory approach.
As the UKGC revealed, the Commission has been testing some new questions that could become part of its periodic reviews after collaborating with academics and researchers. As it does so, it also continues to bring further adjustments to its policies based on the feedback it receives.
- Author
Daniel Williams
