Ten times more betting shops in deprived areas of UK than in affluent parts, study shows

There are more than 10 times the number of betting shops in Britain’s disadvantaged regions than in the nation’s wealthier areas, according to new research.

The study – conducted by the University of Bristol and backed by the Standard Life Foundation – found that while 21 per cent of gambling premises are situated in areas in the country’s bottom tenth in terms of wealth, just 2 per cent are located in places classed as affluent.

Glasgow, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and parts of London had the highest number of betting shops per capita, the study found.

Although the number of shops has been declining in recent years – aided by Covid lockdowns and a persistent shift to online gambling – there were still more betting shops in Britain than stores run by the eight biggest supermarket chains put together, the researchers said.

They also found that half of the country’s gambling treatment centres were within 250m of the nearest gambling premises.

A separate study by Bristol University, published in the Journal of Gambling Studies in May, revealed that men who were regular gamblers were prone to taking part in online gambling more often during lockdown, compared to their previously reported gambling habits.

Responses to two questionnaires found that men were three times more likely than women to gamble regularly – defined as more than once a week – largely in association with heavy drinking.

“Problem gambling is a public health issue, causing serious harm to people’s finances, livelihoods and relationships,” the Standard Life Foundation’s chief executive, Mubin Haq, said about the new research. “Those with the least resources are being targeted more, with twice as many gambling venues on their doorstep as supermarkets.”

He added: “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.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Evans, a senior research associate at the University of Bristol, said the research highlighted 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,” he said.

It emerged recently that factors such as betting shops reopening post-lockdown and the return of live sports this summer had triggered a spike in gambling problems among British people.

Calls to the National Gambling Helpline went up by 28 per cent during the Euros, compared to the same time period last year, according to a report by Sky News.

Gamcare, the charity that runs the service, told the broadcaster the return of live sports had led to a rise in “dangerous gambling behaviour”.

Over half of the helpline’s advisers said they had spoken to a recovered gambler who had relapsed during the football tournament, in which England reached the final but lost out to Italy on penalties.

Some callers reportedly went to great lengths to place a bet during the Euros, including using their children’s phones to avoid gambling blocks they had placed on their own devices.

“If you’ve got a consistent run of matches and different sporting activities going on, that’s a risky time in terms of gambling escalation,” Anna Hemmings, Gamcare’s CEO, told Sky.

“While the gambling industry may offer some much-needed employment in [deprived] areas,” Mr Evans, from the University of Bristol, finished by saying, “it usually takes much more than it gives, leaving a legacy of greater hardship and increased social problems.”

PA contributed to this report