The Independent has reported on a study issued by the U.K. Commission on Crime and Gambling Related Harms that concludes that Blacks and Asians are more at risk from gambling because of systemic racism and poverty.
The report, titled “Lived experiences of gambling, gambling-related harms, and crime within ethnic minority communities,” asserts that many see gaming as a way to relate to structural, social and economic disadvantages. Participants in the survey also said they viewed gambling as a way to escape every day stress.
Lord Goldsmith, KC, chairman of the commission, declared, “The experiences of people from ethnic minority communities in relation to gambling, gambling-related harms and crime have been overlooked for too long.”
He added, “The findings from this study provide unique insight into how the inequalities and social, economic and cultural factors faced by people in ethnic minority communities critically impact their relationships with gambling and their experiences of gambling-related harms and crime.”
The study consisted of interviews with people who had experienced gambling, crime and organizations concerned with social justice and crime as well as inmates in a men’s prison.
Goldsmith said the study also highlighted “lack of understanding and action” in the criminal justice system.
The study concluded that many factors, including race, ethnicity, class, culture, religion, immigration status, mental health and gender had an effect on a person’s experiences in gambling, crime and the criminal justice system.
