A data error in the UK government’s consultation document has led to it pushing back the online slots stake limits consultation deadline by two weeks.
The online slots delay marks a step backward for the government in the consultation process.
The number of measures from the gambling white paper that have been put out to consultation have been criticised, with some doubting the work will be completed before the next general election.
The government said it mistakenly put down the UK’s problem gambling rate for 16- to 24-year-olds at 1.5%, according to Public Health England figures. This – as the government clarified – is wrong, with 1.5% being the rate for only men in that age group.
The correct percentage of problem gambling in this age group is 0.8%. Meanwhile, Health Survey England 2018 puts the total at 1.0%, the highest rate for any age group.
Due to the mistake, the government decided to push back the deadline for the consultation by two weeks, to 4 October.
Government’s ap..