Academics at the University of Glasgow have joined forces with Darwen Council’s Public Health in Lancashire and the University of Sheffield to research and assess Gambling Related Harms (GRH).

This research, which is referred to as a needs assessment, will focus on the Blackburn with Darwen population as a whole. Recent research published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities suggests that about 5,000 people in Blackburn with Darwen would benefit from support or treatment for gambling harms.

The needs assessment will have a specific focus on people accessing drug and alcohol services, women, ethnic minority communities, people experiencing inequalities and young people.

Over a 12 month period the needs assessment will help us to enhance understanding of gambling and how many people it is affecting in Blackburn with Darwen, identifying the impact and harms to individuals and others.

The key objectives of the needs assessment are to understand:

  • What is the prevalence of gambling and gambling-related harm in Blackburn with Darwen by socio-demographic characteristics and geographical distribution?
  • What are the determinants (risk factors) of gambling and harmful gambling?
  • What are the harms to individuals, families, communities, and wider societal harms associated with harmful gambling
  • What is the social and economic burden of gambling-related harms?
  • What are the barriers to accessing treatment where gambling related harms are clearly identified and acknowledged?
  • What are stakeholder views on gambling-related harms in Blackburn with Darwen?

The University of Glasgow’s Dr Christopher Bunn, who will lead the project with Professor Heather Wardle, said: “We are excited to support Blackburn with Darwen as they begin their journey of understanding and responding to the gambling harms present in their area.

“With recent estimates suggesting that nearly 1.6 million people in England who participate in harmful gambling would benefit from treatment or support, this is a timely investment in research that will inform the provision of support for an underserved group.”

Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen’s Executive member for Public Health, Prevention and Wellbeing, said: “This new research will give our Public Health teams a much greater understanding of gambling and gambling harms - understanding impacts, preventing harm and intervening early.

“The harms around gambling, including the effect it has on the individual, the family, loved ones and friends, costs a great deal to our communities - both financially and in terms of emotion and physical stress and healthcare as well.

“This research and assessment will shine a light on the issues and hopefully give us an opportunity to increase investment into this area to make sure we have the essential support many people affected by gambling harms.”

This work builds on extensive research undertaken by Gambling Research Glasgow, a collective of researchers based at the University of Glasgow who share a common interest in the social impacts of gambling, particularly its effects on vulnerable groups, and on the cultural and political context of the expansion of commercial gambling.

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First published: 19 December 2023

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