A recent study sponsored by GambleAware has brought attention to the concerning trend of marginalized communities in the UK turning to gambling as a way to deal with their challenging circumstances and feelings of isolation. The study, carried out by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), examined 138 previous studies to gain insight into how gambling affects these vulnerable groups.
The research focused on a variety of groups, including individuals facing or at risk of homelessness, older people, those with disabilities, mental health issues, neurodiversity, criminalized communities, and migrants in vulnerable situations like asylum seekers. Despite their diverse backgrounds, these groups share a common theme: using gambling as a coping mechanism for the stressors brought on by social exclusion and discrimination.
One of the key findings of the study was that individuals from these marginalized communities often resort to gambling to escape feelings of loneliness, mental health challenges, stress related to migration and integration, unemployment, job insecurity, and financial difficulties. Gambling was seen as a temporary distraction or a potential solution to escape economic hardships.
The study also highlighted the disproportionate number of gambling establishments in deprived areas of the UK. People from marginalized and isolated communities are more likely to live in these areas due to socio-economic disadvantages, increasing their exposure to gambling opportunities.
Stigma was identified as a significant factor influencing the gambling behaviors of these communities and their willingness to seek help. Many individuals already face stigma associated with issues like drug use, homelessness, or mental health problems, which intersects with the stigma surrounding gambling harms. This compounded stigma often acts as a barrier to seeking the necessary support.
The report calls for gambling treatment services to be more accessible, inclusive, and adaptable to meet the needs of marginalized communities. It also stresses the importance of further research to better understand the specific gambling-related harms experienced by these groups and to develop effective support systems.
GambleAware has taken steps to address these issues by launching initiatives such as the “Improving Outcomes for Women and Minority Communities Affected by Gambling Harm” fund. This £4 million program supports 25 organizations throughout the UK, including Investing in People and Culture and the Flowhesion Foundation, to assist ethnically diverse and vulnerable communities in addressing gambling-related harms.
Natalie, a person who has experienced gambling harm and homelessness, highlighted the difficulties faced by those without stable housing. “To overcome gambling harm, you need a safe place to live. Without shelter, recovering becomes much more challenging, and accessing support without a permanent address can be tough. We need improved access to accommodation and support, as well as an adequate range of housing options for individuals facing addiction-related disadvantages.”
Dr. Sokratis Dinos from NatCen’s Centre for Gambling Research stressed the importance of the study’s findings: “The results demonstrate how vulnerability to gambling harms in these communities is influenced by compounding inequalities, stigma, exclusion, and discrimination.” He emphasized the urgent need for targeted interventions and further research to address gambling harms among marginalized communities effectively.
