Stanleybet International have launched a new initiative which will see them regularly release content and data which disproves common misconceptions about online gambling.

We've stressed on several occasions that gambling monopolies and their supporters are constantly using flawed rationale when trying to fight their corners. Consumer protection, prevention of crime and problem gambling are all issues that monopolies hide behind despite  having no proof which shows that they are better equipped than private operators to deal with the problems.

We're delighted that Stanleybet are making the effort to highlight the baseless nature of monopoly arguments. They've been one of the industry's most active campaigners for the liberalization of the European betting market and right2bet wishes to give them our full support.

Here is the first edition of the StanleyBet Mythbuster series in it's entirety:

Mythbuster 1:  Problem gambling in Europe

Majority of European governments base gambling policy on myths and not facts.

The majority of European countries are lacking research into problem gambling of sufficient quality, consistency and breadth. This is the main conclusion of new research published this month by Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies, at Nottingham Trent University, one of the foremost experts on problem gambling in the world.

Problem gambling prevalence levels and willingness to tackle problem gambling are often cited as a reason why some European governments grant no, or limited, market access to gambling operators from other European member states. In fact, Professor Griffiths' research shows no correlation between the openness of gambling markets and prevalence of problem gambling.

It is therefore disconcerting that decisions about gambling policy are informed by little quality data, and this new research highlights the need for a more evidence-based approach to gambling policy formulation.

Professor Griffiths' research is a country-by-country analysis of all existing evidence about the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling in 31 countries across Europe. It acknowledges that in Europe gambling is a diverse concept that incorporates a range of activities undertaken in a variety of settings and giving rise to differing sets of behaviours and perceptions among participants and observers. Despite the complexity of gambling activity, however, only one third of countries surveyed have carried out rigorous research into gambling and problem gambling.

Lack of quality data

Member states vary greatly in their investment in research into gambling and problem gambling, with only a handful having carried out national surveys that can be considered representative and/or reliable. Of the 31 countries reviewed, only Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden and Switzerland have undertaken such studies.

The remainder have either conducted studies at regional and/or local level only (Austria, France, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain), or have carried out almost no empirical research (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland and Portugal).

Problem gambling rates in Europe

Problem gambling rates in Europe appear to be similar to rates found elsewhere and typically vary between 0.5 per cent and 2 per cent. A few countries - like Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Switzerland - have reported problem gambling prevalence rates of above 3 per cent.

Interestingly, problem gambling prevalence rates in restricted markets appear to be similar to those found in regulated ones. In the UK, where regulation of commercial gambling is non-discriminatory and fully compliant with internal market rules, the latest national gambling prevalence survey shows a rate of problem gambling at 0.6 per cent.

Problem gambling trends in Europe

In terms of problem gambling by type of gambling, there appear to be some consistent trends across European jurisdictions. Prevalence studies in Europe have tended to report that problem gamblers are most likely to be electronic gaming machine (EGM) players in countries like Estonia, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

This trend is further reinforced by statistics from problem gambling helpline data: these show that a growing proportion of problem gamblers contacting helplines or assessing treatment identify EGMs as their primary form of gambling. Many European countries report that problem EGM gamblers are most likely to seek treatment and/or contact national gambling helplines, for example Belgium (60%), Denmark (72%), Estonia (93%), Finland (66%), France (50%), Germany (83%), Great Britain (45%), Spain (75%), Sweden (35%).

Problem gambling: an emerging field of education and research

Existing knowledge base for the formulation of evidence-based gambling policies is small, in particular when compared with other potentially addictive behaviours. Although European research on problem gambling is slowly growing, it is still a long way off from providing sufficient and reliable evidence to root policies in.

It is high time that more systematic research strategies and programmes are looked at and invested into, underpinned by independent decision-making about information needs and priorities. By doing so, policymakers will start to create laws that are based on sound facts rather than the myths that currently persist."

Thanks to the Stanleybet team for giving us permission to publish their report.

If you haven't seen it already, check out their site: fairplayforsportsbetting.