'Risky places?': mapping gambling machine density and socio-economic deprivation

Wardle, H. , Keily, R., Astbury, G. and Reith, G. (2014) 'Risky places?': mapping gambling machine density and socio-economic deprivation. Journal of Gambling Studies, 30(1), pp. 201-212. (doi: 10.1007/s10899-012-9349-2)

Abstract

The aims of this project were to map the location and density of gambling machines in Britain; to explore whether geographic areas with higher densities of machines exist and to examine the socio-economic characteristics of these areas relative to others. Using geospatial analysis of premises records, we identified 8861 Machine Zones which were areas with a 400 meter radius around gambling machine venue and 384 High Density Machine Zones (HDMZ) with 1 or more gambling machine per hectare. There was a significant correlation between machine density and socio-economic deprivation. HDMZs had greater levels of income deprivation, more economically inactive people and a younger age profile than other areas; 37 % of those living in HDMZs were economically inactive compared with 33 % of those in non-machine areas. HDMZs were in seaside locations but also New Towns or satellite towns to major urban areas. Area affluence explains some of this pattern; of the New Towns with HDMZs, 78 % were in New Towns with a high proportion of low income areas. We therefore concluded that the distribution of gambling machines in Great Britain, in line with other international jurisdictions, displays a significant association with areas of socio-economic deprivation. The profile of the resident population living in HDMZs mirrors the profile of those most at-risk of experiencing harm from gambling. This spatial pattern has important implications for assessing the relationship between gambling availability and gambling-related harm, and for the future development of policy, harm-prevention and treatment strategies.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wardle, Dr Heather and Reith, Professor Gerda
• Authors: Wardle, H., Keily, R., Astbury, G., and Reith, G.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Gambling Studies
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• ISSN: 1050-5350
• ISSN (Online): 1573-3602
• Published Online: 16 December 2012
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2012 Springer
• First Published: First published in Journal of Gambling Studies 30(1):201-212
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher