Improving Understanding of Migrant Gambling in the UK: Insights from Three Studies

Bramley, S. and Wardle, H. (2019) Improving Understanding of Migrant Gambling in the UK: Insights from Three Studies. Current Advances in Gambling Research Conference (CAGR 2019), London, UK, 12th July 2019.

Abstract

England has one of the most liberal gambling policy regimes in the world and there is concern that those migrating from jurisdictions with more restricted gambling cultures may be at heightened risk of harm and disproportionately affected by gambling. Problem gambling is linked to a range of harms affecting resources, relationships and health. To date there is no UK research examining migrant gambling and little research internationally. Funded by a joint grant from King’s College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, we investigated the type of support that may need to be made available to new UK migrants. This comprised of: a) rapid evidence review; b) secondary analysis of Health Survey for England 2012 and 2015 data; and c) workshops attended by organisations which support migrants affected by gambling in Leeds and London – places with higher than average migrant communities. This has provided initial evidence of a “harm paradox” – non-British born males were less likely to gamble, but if they did, were more likely to be classified as problem gamblers compared to British born males. Workshop participants viewed gambling as highly accessible, a way to supplement income and to relieve acculturative stress. Participants also thought that existing gambling support services may not meet the needs of migrant communities. Work should be done to ensure that gambling support services are accessible to migrants and culturally sensitive. Future research should investigate gambling-related harms from migrants’ perspectives to improve the promotion, design, delivery and accessibility of gambling support services.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wardle, Professor Heather
• Authors: Bramley, S., and Wardle, H.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences

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