Report from UK Links Problem Gambling with Discrimination
Published: February 12, 2024
People may experience gambling disorder for many different reasons, which can be hard to understand without the help of a medical professional. It is increasingly clear that discrimination based on race and ethnicity is a contributing factor for many people who exhibit signs of problem gambling.
In a recent article from iGamingBusiness, research has shown that people from minority communities who exhibit signs of problem gambling are 50 percent more likely to have experienced racism or discrimination in public.
According to the article, Ipsos UK, a global market research company surveyed 1,779 white British people and 1,220 people from minority communities. Respondents from minority communities shared that experiencing discrimination — such as racism, social exclusion, and reduced employment opportunities — increased their susceptibility to gambling harms.
In a separate study, when considering the mutually exclusive race groups examined in the 2022 Ohio Gambling Survey, African American individuals represented the highest percentage of those who are considered at risk of problem gambling.
Regardless of your background, if choosing to gamble, here are some tips to consider:
- Set limits on the time and money you’re willing to spend on gambling.
- Take the two-minute quiz on our website to rate your risk.
- Save betting for social settings, and make sure you know when to stop.
If you’re a behavioral health professional or simply looking to inform others in your community about responsible gambling practices, check out our free toolkits that are available for easy download and distribution. The African American and Spanish toolkits were specifically designed to help spread the word to members of each respective community.
If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about their gambling or sports betting, the Problem Gambling Helpline is available 24/7. Trained and understanding specialists are standing by to offer free and confidential support, with no strings attached. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741.