Study: Marginalized People Gamble to Cope with Social Exclusion

Leading gambling harm prevention and treatment charity GambleAware has published the results of a new study that suggests marginalized communities use gambling to cope with their social exclusion.

The latest analysis was funded by GambleAware and conducted by The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). It saw NatCen analyze 138 previous studies on the effect of gambling on socially excluded groups, including people at risk of homelessness, elderly people, ones with disabilities, neurodiversity or mental health challenges, criminalized communities and migrants.

Despite the fairly diverse types of groups, NatCen identified that they commonly engage in gambling as a way to cope with other difficulties. According to the research center, marginalized individuals struggling with loneliness, mental health issues, migration-related stress, unemployment or job security issues and/or poverty are more likely to be driven to gambling as a distraction or a way to make money.

The research also highlighted that, concerningly, casinos and gaming halls are disproportionately concentrated in deprived areas. This, GambleAware pointed out, exposes marginalized, isolated or criminalized communities to higher gambling harm risks.

Stigma Makes Treatment More Difficult
Echoing earlier studies, GambleAware and NatCen also highlighted the contributing factor of stigma to the issue. GambleAware pointed out that marginalized communities already experience stigma related to drug use, homelessness or mental health challenges in addition to gambling-related stigma. The charity therefore emphasized the importance of stigma reduction in preventing harm.

NatCen’s report recommended improved accessibility and inclusivity of gambling treatment services. The research center also suggested that treatment should be able to adapt to the realities of marginalized communities.

Ultimately, NatCen recommended further research into the effect of gambling harm among discriminated-against communities. The center said that there is currently a lack of sufficient understanding of such people’s needs.

GambleAware is already at work at improving the access to services for people from deprived communities.

Treatment Should Better Understand Marginalized Communities
Zoë Osmond, chief executive officer of GambleAware, commented on the report, saying that it highlights the struggles of marginalized communities. She noted that there needs to be more engagement with such communities in order to protect people from gambling harm. Osmond believes that treatment services should take such communities’ unique circumstances into mind.

This is why we launched our Improving Outcomes Fund, to support organizations which are running programs to help people from different communities.

Zoë Osmond, CEO, GambleAware
Dr Sokratis Dinos from NatCen’s Centre for Gambling Research added that the latest study highlights the vulnerability of people from communities dealing with marginalization, exclusion or criminalization.

The results show how vulnerability to gambling harms for some people in these communities will be driven by compounding inequalities, stigma, exclusion, and discrimination.

Dr Sokratis Dinos, Centre for Gambling Research member, NatCen
Natalie, a lived experience individual, also weighed in on the matter, reminiscing about her own experiences. As someone who once experienced gambling harm and homelessness, she said that she needed a safe place to live before she could break free from gambling harm. She noted that accessing support without a permanent address could be very difficult, which is why improved ease of access to accommodation and support is needed.