The University of Glasgow has begun a project focused on understanding and reducing gambling-related harms.
To work on the project, the University of Glasgow has partnered with Darwen Council’s Public Health in Lancashire and the University of Sheffield. Academics will focus on residents in Blackburn with Darwen, a borough in Lancashire, North West England.
The research will be conducted in the form of a needs assessment, with the hope that it will identify the impact and harms of gambling on individuals in the area.
Christopher Bunn, Project Leader at the University of Glasgow, said: “We are excited to support Blackburn with Darwen as they begin their journey of understanding and responding to the gambling harms present in their area.
“With recent estimates suggesting that nearly 1.6 million people in England who participate in harmful gambling would benefit from treatment or support, this is a timely investment in research that will inform the provision of support for an underserved group.”
There are a few key objectives to the project, including finding out what the prevalence of gambling and gambling-related harm in Blackburn with Darwen is when defined by socio-demographic characteristics and geographical distribution.
Other objectives include finding out the stakeholder views on gambling-related harms, the social and economic burden and the determinants.
Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen’s Executive member for Public Health, Prevention and Wellbeing, said: “This new research will give our Public Health teams a much greater understanding of gambling and gambling harms - understanding impacts, preventing harm and intervening early.
“The harms around gambling, including the effect it has on the individual, the family, loved ones and friends, costs a great deal to our communities - both financially and in terms of emotion and physical stress and healthcare as well.
“This research and assessment will shine a light on the issues and hopefully give us an opportunity to increase investment into this area to make sure we have the essential support many people affected by gambling harms.”
