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Building knowledge of stigma related to gambling and gambling harms in Great Britain: A scoping review of the literature

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Reports


Author(s): Pliakas, Triantafyllos ; Stangl, Anne ; Siapka, Mariana

Publisher: GambleAware

Year Published: 2022

Date Added: July 21, 2022

Resource Type: Literature review

There is little research on stigma related to gambling and gambling harms. This scoping review examines stigma as it relates to gambling and gambling harms. the aim of the review is to

  • provide a critical analysis of current research and how gambling and related harms create stigma;
  • describe relationships between gambling and gambling harms;
  • examine stigma as a barrier to support;
  • and provide recommendations to reduce stigma related to gambling and its harms.

The review assessed research on stigma, discrimination, and gambling from 54 studies and nine review papers across 19 countries. The review found that a significant amount of published research on gambling harms used stigmatizing language. This includes 'problem gambler' and 'gambling addict.' Other findings from the review include:

  • Labelling and stereotyping were common as well as linking gambling with other negative stereotypes
  • Stigmatizing terms can lead to narratives of the individual experiencing harms as the 'problem' rather than having a problem or illness
  • Support services that include people with lived experience may discourage feelings of stigma

Recommendations from the report include:

  • When designing a campaign do not shame or blame people who gamble
  • Use first-person language in research and campaigns to highlight that gambling disorder is a mental disorder
  • Involve people with lived experience in training and research


Citation: Pliakas, T., Stangl, A., & Siapka, M. (2022). Building knowledge of stigma related to gambling and gambling harms in Great Britain: A scoping review of the literature. London, UK: GambleAware. Available from: https://www.begambleaware.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/GambleAware%20Stigma%20Final.pdf

Keywords: barriers to treatment ; gambling ; gambling-related harm ; language ; lived experience ; research ; review ; shame ; stigma ; support services ; systematic review

Topics: Gambling Resources ; Information for Treatment Providers ; Stigmatization

Conceptual Framework Factors:   Social - Stigmatization ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Resources - Service Access and Use ; Social Factors ; Gambling Resources

Source Type: Not-for-Profit

Study Funding:

This review was funded by GambleAware.

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    • What We Do
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    • Our Philosophy
    • Board of Directors
    • Join Us
  • Services
    • Funding Opportunities
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    • Knowledge Products 
    • Knowledge Management
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Impact Evaluation
    • Project Consulting
  • Resources
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    • Data Repository
    • Evidence Centre
    • Gambling from a Public Health Perspective
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