Neighbourhood

Access to gambling opportunities varies across neighbourhoods and it not randomly distributed. Evidence suggests that gambling venues are often located in neighbourhoods with lower social capital. The people who live in these neighbourhoods are more likely to participate in gambling and develop gambling problems.

Social capital broadly refers to networks of people who have shared values, trust and cooperation. Neighbourhoods with high social capital usually have complex social networks where residents have high trust and confidence in one another. Neighbourhoods with low social capital however, have residents who are of lower socio-economic status and who have little trust in one another or other institutions.

Download the two-page Social Factors summary (PDF)

Download the Social Factors section from the Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)

Download the complete Conceptual Framework of Harmful Gambling (PDF)