Rates of gambling harm in Britain are much higher than previously thought, according to a new study published today by the regulator that utilized a “gold standard” methodology, which has been independently evaluated as exemplary. The Gambling Commission’s Gambling Survey of Great Britain (GSGB) found that, a decade on from it first issuing licenses to online gambling operators, 2.5% of the adult population are problem gamblers — eight times higher than previous surveys had found using inferior methodologies.

In a stark warning to U.S. policymakers, GSGB found those who had gambled on slots online were more than 6 times more likely than average to be problem gamblers. In a sign of things to come, more than 1 in 5 gamblers also had a negative view toward gambling, and 1 in 20 of those who had thought about or attempted taking their own life did so in relation to their gambling.

Of those found to be problem gamblers:

• 1 in 5 lost something of financial value

• 1 in 4 experienced relationship breakdowns

• 1 in 5 experienced violence or abuse

• 1 in 6 committed a crime

Derek Webb, founder and funder of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: “If gambling harm is to be controlled in the U.S., the lessons Britain learned the hard way must be heeded. iGaming should not be expanded in its current form, and certainly not without sensible controls such as low stake limits for online slots.”

Earlier this year, the U.K. government announced changes to the regulation of online gambling, but the general election delayed that process. The most urgent need is for delivery of the statutory levy proposal of up to 1% of gross revenues to fund research, prevention, treatment and recovery.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) was established in the US to inform the public and advocate for tried and tested consumer protection regulations to policy makers. CFG has supported the National Council on Problem Gambling’s call for the GRIT Act, which would allocate 50% of the sports betting federal excise duty to treatment and research.