Study Reveals Poorest British Areas Most Saturated With Gambling

This story was published more than 2 years ago.

A study conducted by the University of Bristol revealed that more than 20% of gambling locations in Great Britain are located in the poorest 10% of the country, exposing the lowest earners to higher gambling enticements.

The study was conducted bin conjunction with Aberdeen Standard Investments and was titled, 'The Geography of Gambling Premises in Great Britain'. It looked at casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, adult gaming centers, and family entertainment centers, all of which let players test their luck for real money.

According to the study, 21% of gambling premesis are located in poorer areas, whereas just 2% of of betting spots are located in wealthy areas. 29% of adult gaming centers, 34% of family entertainment centers, 30% of bingo halls, 24% of casinos, and 18% of sportsbetting shops are located in these less-affluent areas.

Glasgow City had the highest population per betting shop, with 3,264 people for 194 shops. Westiminster had 3,308 people for 79 shops, while Liverpool had 3,662 for 136 shops, and Brent had 3,790 for 87 shops.

The report also found that 9% of English schools were within 250 meters of the nearest gambling spot, which affects 742,000 children.

Speaking about the results, Bristol senior research associate Jamie Evans said, "The research highlights the clear mismatch between the amenities available in '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.

"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."

About the author

Therese Williams // UK Correspondent
Therese Williams
Therese is a fervent fan of slot machines and pub fruities, often trying her luck at some of the top online casinos. She covers news for Casino Listings with a focus on the UK and Europe. Therese studied arts and creative writing at university and has written for newspapers in the UK.