This report from the United Kingdom's National Centre for Social Research includes findings from the results of six scoping reviews, to summarize existing evidence on gambling harms among marginalized, socially excluded, and/or communities subject to moralization and/or criminalization. The focus is on rates of gambling harms, drivers of gambling harms, and barriers and facilitators to treatment and support.
The six communities were in Great Britain and consisted of:
- Criminalized and/or moralized communities (including people who use drugs).
- Migrants in vulnerable circumstances (e.g., asylum seekers) and transient communities.
- People living with disabilities, neurodiversity and/or mental health challenges.
- People with experience of unemployment, peripheral employment, or insecure employment.
- People who experience or are at risk of homelessness.
- Older people.
Findings include:
- There was limited evidence about rates of gambling harm in these six communities.
- Gambling was used as a way to cope with difficult emotions or experiences.
- Gambling was used to meet the need for entertainment/social connection.
- Gambling/gambling venues were seen as accessible and inclusive.
- Gambling was motivated by financial issues, such as low incomes/pensions and financial responsibilities.
- There was limited evidence about specific service and healthcare needs for these communities.
- There is an urgent need for more research to explore gambling harms among these communities.
