A study recently carried out by the University of Bristol revealed that the gambling venues in Britain are concentrated in less affluent areas. The study found out that Glasgow, Liverpool, London, and Middlesbrough are the areas with the most gambling establishments per capita. People are 10 times less likely to find a gambling premise in well-off areas than in deprived towns.
The revelations raised an important question regarding gambling issues. The authority that regulates the gambling industry throughout the country, the UK Gambling Commission, explained that preventing people from gambling problems is its priority and it will take into account the findings of the research.
Gambling Venues Target Vulnerable Social Groups
Great Britain is home to over 10,000 gambling establishments as of 2020. A curious fact is that the gambling premises in Britain outnumber the shops owned by eight of the largest supermarket chains. According to the research from bestcasinosites.me.uk, 34% of all amusement arcades, 30% of the bingo establishments, and 29% of the adult gaming centers are located in deprived areas. On the other hand, people who live in more affluent areas can enjoy a more even distribution of various services.
The report also revealed that nearly half of the organizations that offer gambling treatment are located very close to gambling premises. The study revealed that some gambling venues are located only 200 meters away from schools. Over 2,000 schools are in close proximity to a gambling establishment. Roughly estimated, this affects over 700,000 school pupils.
The survey disclosed that 21% of the gambling outlets in Britain are located in deprived areas and only 2% can be found in the most affluent decile of areas. Another interesting revelation is that the different types of gambling venues follow different geographical patterns. For example, Glasgow is home to most betting shops. Amusement arcades are concentrated in coastal areas.
However, the report highlighted that the correlation between deprived areas and the number of premises is the strongest for bingo venues and FECs (Family Entertainment Centres). The study also raised another concern regarding the “clustering” of betting shops in an attempt to run more fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). In 2020, the lawmakers agreed to limit the maximum allowed stake on such machines from £100 to £2.
The senior research associate at the University of Bristol, Jamie Evans, commented that the services in deprived areas have to be evenly spread. He added that people living in deprived areas need services that will help them improve their lifestyles. Evans admitted that the gambling establishments increase the employment rate, but the dangers they pose are great.
Why Deprived Areas in Britain are Rich in Gambling Premises?
Many people believe that gambling companies target deprived areas on purpose. A proven fact is that people with low income, poor education, minority groups, and young people are the most vulnerable groups. The chairman of a cross-party, Carolyn Harris, explained that many gambling companies target vulnerable social groups susceptible to gambling problems. She further elaborated that this practice is not new but it does not make it less disturbing.
A spokesperson for the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) explained that the gambling industry is important for the country’s economy, generating £7.7 in gross value added and creating new job opportunities.
A study carried out by YouGov in 2018 revealed that 73% of the respondents are against having a betting shop nearby. Instead, 92% of the respondents prefer to have a bank and a post office on their local high street. As many as 91% would like to have a pharmacy and 90% prefer a restaurant or cafe on their high street.
Local Authorities Are Powerless
Under the Gambling Act of 2005, local authorities cannot decline a gambling license to a company because a given area already has too many betting shops. The only way to decline a license is if the opening of another betting outlet would significantly increase the risk to those groups of people susceptible to gambling harm.
Some councils conducted their own research to understand problem gambling on a local scale. Tower Hamlets Council, for example, does not allow gambling premises to operate if they are located close to schools, hospitals, residential homes, and places where a Gamblers Anonymous meeting is being held.
A House of Lords Select Committee on the Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry explained that the current gambling laws have to be overhauled and grant local authorities the power to decide where a betting shop can be placed.
