Gamblers’ financial management and debt experiences

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Author(s): Barnard, Matt ; Kerr, Jane ; Kinsella, Rachel ; Orford, Jim ; Reith, Gerda ; Wardle, Heather

Journal: International Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2014

Date Added: October 19, 2019

This study explored gamblers’ experiences with debt and their approaches to spending on gambling and other things in their lives. Interviews were carried out with 27 gamblers, who differed in their gambling risk levels, income levels, and if they had experienced debt or not. Gamblers’ financial problems could be due to both gambling and non-gambling reasons. The researchers identified four categories of gamblers based on their approaches to gambling spending and general spending. They also proposed a range of personal and environmental factors that might influence whether gamblers experienced debt.

Citation: Barnard, M., Kerr, J., Kinsella, R., Orford, J., Reith, G., & Wardle, H. (2014). Exploring the relationship between gambling, debt and ﬁnancial management in Britain. International Gambling Studies, 14(1), 82-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2013.842606

Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2013.842606

Keywords: behavioural addictions ; debt ; gambling ; qualitative

Conceptual Framework Factors: Environment - Social and Economic Impacts ; Psychological Factors ; Social - Social Demographics ; Gambling Environment ; Social Factors

Study Design: Descriptive: Qualitative

Geographic Coverage: United Kingdom

Study Population: Gamblers with and without debt or money problem

Sampling Procedure: The researchers invited people who took part in the 2007 British Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) and the 2010 British Gambling Prevalence Survey (BGPS), and who had agreed to be contacted for future research purposes. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample with a diverse range of experiences and views, using three criteria: the presence or absence of debt (APMS) or ‘money problems’ (BGPS); scores on the DSM-IV problem gambling screen (problem, at risk and non-problem); and income level (high, middle, low).

Study Funding:

No source of funding was declared for this study.