Research Shows Minority Ethnic Communities are Disproportionately Impacted by Gambling Harms

GambleAware has published the findings of research conducted by YouGov regarding levels of gambling harm and access to treatment, support, and advice among Black, Asian and minority ethnic adults.

The research is a secondary analysis of a GambleAware commissioned survey YouGov carried out in 2019 and sets out the differences in gambling behaviours between white people who gamble and gamblers from minority ethnic communities, including their differing needs in treatment, support, and advice.

The research suggests one in five (20%) Black, Asian and minority ethnic adults surveyed experience problems associated with their gambling (PGSI 1+), with 7% classified as “problem gamblers” (PGSI 8+). This is significantly higher than the 12% of white adults who experience some level of problems associated with their gambling (PGSI 1+) and 2% classified as “problem gamblers.”

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The YouGov research also indicates greater demand for treatment among “problem gamblers” from minority ethnic communities. Three quarters (75%) of “problem gamblers” from minority ethnic communities say they want some form of treatment, support, or advice, compared with 49% of white “problem gamblers.” Potential motivators among respondents for seeking treatment, support, or advice included: knowing they could get help over the phone (25%) and knowing it would be completely confidential and free of charge (both 18%).

The YouGov research indicates a higher level of treatment usage within minority ethnic communities, with seven out of ten (71%) “problem gamblers” having reported using some form of treatment, support and advice, compared to under half of white “problem gamblers” (46%). However, data from the 2019/20 National Gambling Treatment Service does not reflect the higher levels of demand and usage which are reported in the YouGov survey. Taken together, these analyses suggest that substantial numbers of “problem gamblers” from minority ethnic communities access treatment and support other than through the National Gambling Treatment Service.