UK gambling prevention charity GambleAware has released a report shedding light on the intersection of gambling harms and experiences within minority communities.
Conducted by Ipsos UK and ClearView Research, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, the study aims to understand the impact of racism and discrimination on gambling-related issues among minority populations.
Based on the report, individuals from minority backgrounds facing any form of gambling problem are reported to be 50% more likely to have encountered racism or discrimination in public settings compared to those without gambling issues.
Some participants highlighted a direct link between discrimination and susceptibility to gambling harms, citing experiences of social exclusion, reduced job opportunities and increased mental health risks.
Furthermore, the study finds that gambling is used as a coping mechanism among minority communities, with individuals from these backgrounds three times more likely to consider gambling as a means of dealing with life challenges compared to their White British counterparts.
Participants expressed various barriers hindering them from seeking support for their gambling issues, including a lack of awareness of available support services and mistrust of healthcare providers due to past experiences of discrimination while seeking healthcare.
Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, said: “Gambling harms can affect anyone, but they can be more common and more damaging in communities that face social inequality – such as these minority groups. Fortunately, help is out there. The National Gambling Support Network offers confidential, tailored support for people from all backgrounds. It also does a lot of community outreach to raise awareness and increase early intervention, so that people from all backgrounds know where to turn and can get help before gambling problems turn into an addiction.”
GambleAware's commitment to addressing these disparities includes the launch of a £4.3m ($5.4m) funding program aimed at reducing gambling harm disparities within minority religious and ethnic communities in England, Scotland and Wales.
Additionally, GambleAware's data, released from the National Gambling Support Network on 1 December, displayed encouraging outcomes for individuals seeking assistance with gambling problems during the 2022-2023 period.
CEO Graham England, of Ara Recovery for All, commended the network's success, revealing that nine out of 10 patients experienced marked improvements following treatment, showcasing reductions in gambling-related issues.
Simultaneously, GambleAware launched a campaign in late November 2023, urging those grappling with gambling challenges to open up about their experiences. This initiative aligned with research findings indicating that 64% of adults who faced gambling issues had never confided in anyone, owing to societal stigma, with 39% attributing their silence directly to this stigma.
However, of those who opened up, 76% reported feeling significantly better after discussing their concerns, demonstrating the positive impact of open dialogue on gambling-related struggles.
