Nia Thomas
1 in 5 of all betting shops are located in the UK’s poorest areas, a University of Bristol study has found.
Research that comes to light amid the government’s review of the Gambling Act indicates that betting shops are ten times more likely to be located in disadvantaged towns than in wealthy areas.
Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Middlesbrough are the regions with the highest number of gambling sites per capita, the research shows.
Whilst the study found that there are still more betting shops in the UK than the total of supermarkets operated by the “big eight” put together, there has been a steady decrease in the presence of gambling sites on our high streets in the last decade. However, betting shops remain concentrated in the country’s most deprived regions.
This research also highlights the disproportionate access to amenities between affluent and disadvantaged areas. Whilst just 10% of all food shops are found in the poorest areas, these remain the home of 34% of amusement arcades, 30% of bingo venues and 29% of adult gaming centres.
Furthermore, half of UK gambling treatment centres are a mere 250 metres from a gambling site.
“Those in more deprived communities are disproportionately faced with choices that can often prove harmful”
The Effects
Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol Jamie Evans said, “The research highlights the clear mismatch between ‘left behind’ areas, compared with those that are more affluent.”
“Rather than having greater access to the facilities, services and opportunities that help people to improve their lives, those in more deprived communities are disproportionately faced with choices that can often prove harmful.”
He adds, “While the gambling industry may offer some much-needed employment in these areas, it usually takes much more than it gives, leaving a legacy of greater hardship and increased social problems.”
Mubin Haq, Chief Executive of Standard Life Foundation, a charity that aims to “contribute towards strategic change which improves financial well-being in the UK”, says “Problem gambling is a public health issue, causing serious harm to people’s finances, livelihoods and relationships.”
“Those with the least [sic] resources are being targeted more, with twice as many gambling venues on their doorstep as supermarkets. If we are to truly level up, the new gambling reforms currently being considered must take into account the geography of gambling venues and give local authorities more control over licensing.”
Featured image courtesy of Kvnga on Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to the image.
Nia Thomas
Nia is a Gender Studies Masters student at the University of Sussex. Having recently graduated with a degree in Political Science, she is keenly interested in current affairs and stories concerning equality and diversity. Away from writing, she is an avid reader and lover of reality TV.