Gambling to escape poverty

 Betting shops are ten times more likely to be found in deprived towns than in affluent areas, according to a study by the University of Bristol.

A fifth of all gambling premises in the UK are now located in the poorest areas of the country.

The areas with the highest number of betting shops per capita included Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Middlesbrough, the study found.

There are still more gambling sites in Britain than shops run by the big eight supermarket chains put together.

The research highlights a disproportion between the amenities available on local High Streets for people living in deprived communities, compared to the amenities available in more affluent areas.

For instance, just 10% of all food stores are located in the poorest areas, yet these places were home to as many as 34% of amusement arcades, 30% of bingo venues and 29% of adult gaming centres.

More affluent towns and cities had a much more even spread of services like libraries and supermarkets.

 Jamie Evans, senior research associate at the University of Bristol, explained, "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."

Founder of the Gambling With Lives charity, Liz Ritchie, said 500 young people die every year, because of having a gambling addiction.

"Predatory gambling companies target the poor and the young. We know the tragic cost of this targeting - at least one death per day."

The Betting and Gaming Council stressed that betting shops and casinos have made a "huge economic contribution" to the UK.

A spokesman for the Betting and Gaming Council said: "BGC members support 119,000 jobs, generate £4.5bn in tax to pay for vital public services and contribute £7.7bn to the economy in gross value added.

"Betting shops alone employ around 46,000 people across the country, pay £1bn in tax to the Treasury as well as £60m in business rates for local councils, while casinos employ 11,000 staff and pay £500m a year in tax."

Mr Evans pointed out that, "While gambling premises may provide jobs, we know that gambling can lead to a wide variety of financial, social and health problems, with problem gambling affecting not just the gambler themselves but many of those closest to them as well. These are problems which simply add to the many challenges that our most deprived communities already face."

Gambling: Poorer UK towns found to have the most betting shops, study shows - BBC News