The festive season exerts societal pressure on individuals to invest in gifts and celebrations, leading some in the Asian community to turn to gambling as a quick financial solution. However, this often results in mounting debts, subjecting individuals to social stigma, racism, and stigmatisation. The silence surrounding these issues exacerbates racial biases, hindering potential recovery through necessary reforms. The National Problem Gambling Clinic found that 23% of their clients are of South Asian descent, despite only accounting for 7% of the UK population.
For instance, a third of UK workers aged 40 and above are worried about the adequacy of their retirement savings for future Christmases, according to research by My Pension Expert. The stress is only mounting. To bridge the gap people get into gambling. The study of 2,000 UK adults found that 32% of over-40s fear their retirement savings won't stretch enough for festive celebrations. Economic challenges, including high inflation and rising interest rates, have made Christmas preparation more difficult for 46% of respondents.
In the UK, over 430,000 individuals are identified as problem gamblers, and 13% of the population experiences some degree of gambling harm, as per Providence Projects and a 2020 YouGov survey. Within British Asian communities, gambling addiction is a taboo subject, often met with judgment and dismissal, restricting open discussions and limiting available resources for addressing gambling-related problems.
GambleAware, a leading charity in Great Britain for preventing and treating gambling harm, conducted a study in collaboration with Ipsos UK, ClearView Research, and the University of Manchester. The research reveals that individuals from minority communities with gambling issues are 50% more likely to face public racism or discrimination compared to those without gambling problems. The study highlights the impact of stigma and discrimination in both contributing to gambling harms and hindering individuals from seeking assistance. Participants from minority backgrounds engaging in gambling are three times more likely to perceive it as a 'coping mechanism' for life challenges, emphasising the need for targeted support services.
Gambling support services need to work on increasing confidence
Commenting on the findings, Dr Samir Shah, Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director, Manchester told Asian Voice, “This report is insightful and focusses on a group of population who may benefit from services and support that addresses their needs. Although more research is needed to understand the specific vulnerabilities of minority communities, the difference in gambling harms between minority communities and White British is striking. Ethnic minority communities may not only be exposed to systemic inequalities but also to socio-economic disparities. Additionally, limited access to meaningful targeted resources and cultural expectations may add to their vulnerabilities. Communities that experience racism and discrimination could adversely impact their access to culturally sensitive services that address their unique needs. This report has thrown light at the challenges of minority communities that should encourage conversations about targeted interventions.”
Dr Dharmi Kapadia, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at The University of Manchester commented: “This research study has shown that minoritised people facing difficult, and often traumatic, life circumstances such as financial hardship, racism and other forms of social exclusion are at risk of gambling harms. Worryingly, gambling help services are often not seen as trustworthy by minoritised people due to past discriminatory experiences of statutory services. Gambling support services need to work on increasing confidence amongst minoritised groups, including how they organise, advertise and deliver services.”
Psychiatrist Dr JS Bamrah told the newsweekly, “Gambling disorder, or pathological gambling as it’s sometimes referred to, is a form of addiction which has gained more notoriety with the ease by which people can access gambling websites these days. These people are consumed with the impulse to gamble to the extent that it can take over their social and family life, and affect their ability to work. This addiction is frequently associated with other addictions such as alcohol or drug abuse, and mental illness such as depression and anxiety. The treatment is complex as it requires a tightening of regulation of gambling sources to make it difficult for vulnerable groups to be exploited. Such patients can benefit from de-addiction therapy as well as treatment of any underlying mental disorder.”
Problem gamblers within BAME communities show a higher demand for treatment
Problem gamblers within BAME communities show a higher demand for treatment and support, with 83% citing motivating factors compared to 43% for moderate risk and 12% for low-risk gamblers. Awareness of help through phone channels, confidentiality, and free-of-charge support emerged as significant motivators, emphasising the need for targeted communication. Further research could explore motivations and barriers specific to BAME communities.
Cultural beliefs within British Asian communities consider gambling a vice to be avoided, making it challenging for those struggling with addiction to seek help. Studies by the Royal Society for Public Health and the Gambling Commission underscore the higher susceptibility of British Asians to gambling addiction, with specific concerns for women. Suhayl Patel, BAME Gambling Harms Programme Manager at Beacon Counselling Trust, is actively involved in raising awareness, and engagement, and providing culturally relevant education to diverse communities. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, initiatives like the South Asian Community Gambling Harm Conference and collaborations with organisations like The Muslim Council of Britain demonstrate progress.
A YouGov report from 2020 revealed distinctive characteristics and support needs of gamblers from BAME communities, highlighting the prevalence of Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores of 1+. Specific ethnic groups, notably those of Pakistani and Indian backgrounds, exhibit a higher likelihood of falling into the PGSI 1+ category. Given the significant proportion of problem gamblers from Pakistani backgrounds, tailored consideration of their specific needs is crucial in policy and service planning. Larger sample sizes could unravel nuanced differences between ethnic subgroups and the influence of religion.
In a report titled, ‘Gambling in Asian Communities in Great Britain’ it was reported, that in both adult and child Asian populations, the 7-day participation rate in gambling (22% and 13%, respectively) was found to be low relative to that in the white majority community, yet problem gambling prevalence, measured by the adult Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition screen (1.4%) and its juvenile equivalent (2.9%), was significantly higher, including among women. It therefore follows that those Asians who do gamble are unusually prone to experiencing problems, which has implications for public health policies such as the provision of information and help in minority languages. The relevance of the findings seems likely to extend to other countries with significantly sized Asian communities.
