Mapping problem gambling severity
Using data collected as part of the Treatment Needs and Gap Analysis programme of research, GambleAware has worked with UCL to produce maps of Great Britain which show the prevalence of problem gambling severity in each Local Authority area, as identified using the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The maps can be viewed here.
Data
Using data collected as part of the Treatment Needs and Gap Analysis programme of research, GambleAware has worked with UCL to produce maps of Great Britain which show the prevalence of problem gambling severity in each Local Authority area, as identified using the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), as well as maps showing Consumer Indicator Data including accessibility to gambling outlets and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. The PGSI data was collected in 2019, and the survey will be repeated, and the maps updated, on annual basis. A note on the data analysis used can be found here.
How to use the maps
Using the button at the top right of the maps, users can switch between layers of data to show the prevalence of each category of PGSI score (0 = non-problem gamblers; 1-2 low risk gamblers; 3-7 moderate-risk gamblers; 8+ problem gamblers) by the quintile with the lowest prevalence to the quintile with the highest prevalence within each Local Authority area in England, Scotland and Wales. Users can switch to maps of Consumer Indicator Data using the same button, and can toggle location labels on and off, or highlight the ‘built up’ (urban vs rural) areas. Buttons at the top left allow users to zoom in and out.
These maps represent a starting point in understanding the distribution of problem gambling and the harms that may arise from it across Great Britain. It is anticipated that they will be useful to national and local public health teams and healthcare commissioners in building their understanding of gambling in their local authority area. Feedback is very welcome via info@gambleaware.org.
Resources
There are a range of other tools and resources available to support organisations in working together to keep people safe from gambling harms:
- Tackling gambling related harm: A whole council approach produced by the Local Government Association, 2018
- Public health framework for gambling related harm reduction produced by the Association of Directors of Public Health Yorkshire and Humber Problem Gambling Working Group, 2019
- Public health and gambling: A quick guide for local public health and licencing officers produced by the Gambling Commission, 2018
- Frameworks for Measuring gambling-related harms in adults and in children and young people produced by the Gambling Commission, 2019
- A Brief Intervention Guide produced by GambleAware, and accompanying eLearning delivered by the Royal Society for Public Health, which aim to equip anyone who works with the public with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond effectively to people experiencing gambling harms
Resources to support those working with young people include:
- The Gambling Education Toolkit, produced by Fast Forward
- Materials produced by the PSHE Association to support gambling education through PSHE teaching in schools
- Resources produced by Parent Zone on Gaming or Gambling aimed at parents of 8 to 12 year olds, and resources aimed at older children approaching emerging financial independence and their parents called Know the Stakes.
About
Consumer Indicator Data from Consumer Data Research Centre. PSGI score categories and Gambling Data from GambleAware. Maps created by Justin van Dijk.
- Also see