A study from the University of Bristol reveals that a fifth of gambling premises in Great Britain are located in the top 10 percent most deprived neighborhoods.
A report, “The Geography of Gambling Premises in Great Britain,” looked at retail betting, paying close attention to the confluence of gambling and deprived areas, according to iGaming Business.
Premises include betting shops, casinos, bingo venues, family entertainment centers and adult gaming centers. According to the report, the number of retail locations declined 15.8 percent between March 2018 and November 2020, but land-based venues still accounted for 44 percent of gross gambling yield prior to the first novel coronavirus lockdown
Some 29 percent of adult gaming centers were in the most deprived areas, with bingo centers in 30 percent, family entertainment centers, 34 percent, casinos 24 percent and betting shops 18 percent.
It was also noted that the highest proportion of gambling treatment centers—17 percent—were located in the most deprived areas as well.
More than 9 percent of schools in England lie within a five-minute walk from a gambling outlet.
“The research highlights the clear mismatch between the amenities available in ‘left behind’ areas, compared with those that are more affluent,” University of Bristol senior research associate Jamie Evans said. “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.
