A comprehensive study orchestrated by Ipsos UK and ClearView Research, with the support of the University of Manchester, has shed new light on the troubling intersection of problem gambling and discrimination. GambleAware, the charity dedicated to preventing gambling harm, disclosed these eye-opening findings on December 6th.
The elaborate investigation garnered responses from a sweeping sample of 2,999 individuals residing across England, Wales, and Scotland. To ensure diverse perspectives, respondents comprised 1,779 white British citizens alongside 1,220 representatives from various minority communities. The research was conducted in May 2022, offering a timely analysis of these pressing social issues.
Central to the findings of this inquiry is the discernible link between problem gambling and experiences of discrimination. For people hailing from minority groups who struggle with gambling, the likelihood of facing discrimination in public is considerably higher—double that of those without gambling issues. This revelation draws a stark line connecting gambling harm and societal inequality.
Participants from these communities have voiced that discrimination, particularly racism, not only intensifies their gambling behavior but also magnifies a sense of alienation. These harrowing experiences often pave the way to reduced job opportunities and an increased vulnerability to mental health complications.
Furthermore, a significant portion of minority individuals, around 18%, who engage in gambling report using it as a coping mechanism to navigate the stress of discrimination, thrice the rate observed among their white British counterparts. This coping claim was echoed by a mere 6% of the white British gambling populace.
The study expounded upon the obstacles that impede individuals from minority groups in seeking professional assistance for gambling complications. A concerning trend emerged, showing that these communities may feel less at ease discussing their gambling habits with family, friends, support services, or healthcare providers. Researchers pointed out an alarming lack of awareness about available support services for gambling within these circles.
Complicating matters, accounts detailing distrust in healthcare and support services due to prior racist and discriminatory encounters pose additional barriers to these already marginalized populations. The research indicates that such experiences might prevent individuals from seeking the help they desperately need.
Alarmingly, the report also highlights a disproportionate influence of gambling marketing on minority communities. This can be ascribed to an insufficient understanding of the risks associated with gambling, making these groups more susceptible to targeted advertising.
GambleAware’s CEO, Zoë Osmond, recognized the severity of these findings but remained hopeful, advocating for affected individuals to seek GambleAware’s confidential guidance and support. Osmond pointed to the charity’s National Gambling Support Network as a vital resource that provides tailored support and community outreach to promote early intervention, ensuring that gambling concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
In a proactive response to similar research findings, GambleAware is gearing up to launch a new funding program later in the month aimed at mitigating the issues unearthed by the study.
Data from earlier this year presented a worrying backdrop; although minority groups had a lower gambling participation rate of 31% compared to 48% of white British people, a staggering 42% of gamblers from minority backgrounds suffered gambling harm, a figure that notably eclipsed the 20% incidence rate amongst white British gamblers.
To confront these disparities, GambleAware is allocating approximately £4.3m to organizations across England, Scotland, and Wales, with the intent of addressing the tailored needs of women and individuals from minority religious and ethnic communities. The aim is to notably reduce the unequal burden of gambling harm experienced by these vulnerable groups, as emphasized by Anna Hargrave, GambleAware’s chief commissioning officer.
In the meantime, GambleAware has continued to disclose crucial data, revealing that during the 12 months spanning from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, a sizable number of individuals turned to the National Gambling Treatment Service. The service attended to 85% of these cases, a testament to the persistent need to address gambling harms across the UK.
