According to recent research based on nationwide surveys commissioned by GamleAware in collaboration with Ipsos UK, and ClearView Research, supported by the University of Manchester, despite lower rates of participation in gambling (31% in Minority groups compared to 48% in White British Majority groups), members of Minority groups likely experience greater harm from gambling relative to members of White British majority groups (42% versus 20%) of those who gamble. The survey was conducted between 19 and 25 May 2022 via Ipsos’ random online probability panel (UK KnowledgePanel) with over 20,000 participants across the UK.
GambleAware is the leading independent, grant-making charity commissioning prevention and treatment services across the UK in partnership with expert organisations and agencies, including the NHS. Its services focus on three areas- commissioning the National Gambling Treatment Service, conducting public health campaigns for support and awareness on a national scale and providing practical support to local services, and commissioning research and evaluation to improve knowledge of what works in the prevention of gambling and gambling-related harms.
The findings from the aforementioned research highlighted several structural factors demonstrated to be associated with higher levels of gambling harm. These include income levels, social inequalities and experience of discrimination.
Asian Voice spoke to Joe Wheeler, Research Manager at Ipsos, to get a better hold of the circumstances and implications of the research. The reader should note here that the research did not include observations on gambling operators and law enforcement and how they view customers from Minority groups. Joe, therefore, could not answer our questions on how the laws and regulations worked on people from Minority groups.
How aware are members of Minority communities of the risks of gambling?
The data from this research suggests that Minority communities at risk of gambling harms are more likely to feel they would need more information, or further support in order to cut down on their gambling, but less likely to say they would know how to reduce their gambling if they needed to.
Our wider programme of research has also shown there is little awareness of gambling-specific support within Minority communities. Individuals from these communities are more likely to feel judged by society for gambling – which may in turn influence some people’s ability to discuss the risks of their gambling with others and get help.
Why do members from Minority communities take up gambling despite being aware of the risks?
Participants from Minority communities are more likely than the White British Majority to take up gambling as a coping mechanism. There was a correlation seen in our research between having experience of systemic racism or discrimination and risks of gambling harm amongst Minority communities.
We also saw a stronger correlation between low-income households and indicators of gambling harms amongst Minority communities, whereas this was not as much the case for the White British Majority. This indicates there is a link between deprivation and gambling harms amongst Minority communities.
How exactly does gambling act as a coping mechanism for those facing discrimination? Because it would seem counterintuitive, right?
Participants in our wider programme of research talk about how gambling can be a safe space, a distraction from everyday life and even how they feel a sense of community from certain gambling spaces where they can be free of judgement.
Are there influences at play at the community level, even if those communities are judgemental? For instance, how likely are the gambling habits of near and dear ones to influence one’s decision to gamble?
Our wider programme of research has shown that there is a clear link between gambling habits of family and friends and gambling-related harm to an individual. Particularly this is seen with individuals who were brought up in an environment where gambling is commonplace. Amongst certain communities, where gambling is not talked about openly, individuals were commonly suffering greater harm due to the barriers of seeking help or speaking to loved ones.
What are the social and familial impacts of gambling?
Gambling is a far greater public health issue than is widely recognised. Often when thinking of the harm people can experience from gambling, the focus is on the financial losses or relationship difficulties, but gambling harms can impact all areas of people’s lives, including mental and physical health, work and social life.
Very often, people who are struggling with their gambling feel like they have little or no control. This can lead to experiencing shame and lack of self-worth, but also guilt and remorse because of how their behaviour might be impacting others.
Despite lower rates of participation in gambling (31% vs 48%), members of Minority groups are more likely to experience some form of harm from gambling relative to members of White British majority groups (42% vs 20%) of those who gamble.
Could you tell us in some detail how exactly gambling support works?
For those experiencing more significant gambling-related harms, treatment is available. This can be accessed through the National Gambling Treatment Services, which is commissioned by GambleAware. It operates in partnership with expert organisations and agencies, including the NHS, and provides specialist treatment in Great Britain for gambling disorders, tailored to an individual’s needs and choices. For more information, visit begambleaware.org.
