Where you live can affect your behaviour, including gambling behaviour. For example, people who live near casinos are more likely to gamble often. Thus, neighbourhood attributes can affect gambling risks. This study measured how people’s opinions of their neighbourhood related to their gambling behaviour.
The researchers gave surveys to people living in four different neighbourhoods. The surveys measured participants’ gambling behaviour and asked them about their neighbourhood environment. Participants who reported more neighbourhood disorder were more likely to be at risk of gambling problems. Neighbourhood disorder includes things like property damage and disorderly conduct. Therefore, intervening in communities with neighbourhood disorder could be a way to help prevent problem gambling.
