GambleAware has published the second independent evaluation report about its Community Resilience Fund’s (CRF) achievements and findings. Compiled by Ipsos, the report confirmed that minorities continue to be disproportionately affected by gambling.
Minorities and Marginalized Groups Remained Vulnerable
Findings from the CRF, which is GambleAware’s grant-making initiative that provides support to organizations outside of the gambling harms ecosystem, showed that ethnic minority communities and marginalized groups continue to be disproportionately more affected by problem gambling. According to GambleAware, some 13,880 such people sought problem gambling help.
Further findings showed that 1,200 individuals received targeted information and services related to gambling harm. CRF participant organizations also recorded increased awareness of problem gambling, as well as reduced stigma and greater engagement with support services. At the same time, grant recipients reported improvements in staff knowledge and confidence, robust local partnership and smoother integration of harm support in their broader services.
CRF grants, for context, have so far supported a variety of initiatives and awareness campaigns, emotional and financial counseling and lived experience mentorships. The fund has also fueled a variety of workshops designed to teach people to identify and properly react to problem gambling.
In line with the aforementioned statistics, many of the eleven funded organizations have experience in engaging with people from poorer areas or from marginalized and ethnically diverse backgrounds. These include the likes of Al-Hurraya in the Midlands and the Shama Women’s Centre in Leicester.
Supporting Those in Need Is of Utmost Importance
Anna Hargrave, GambleAware’s deputy CEO and chief commissioning and strategy officer, commented on the matter, saying that no one is completely immune to gambling harm. Because of that, helping vulnerable groups and supporting those committed to doing so is of utmost importance.
The Community Resilience Fund is here for that very reason, so that we can reach the people who need support most. We’re really pleased that funded projects have been able to reach thousands of people, especially those from underrepresented communities who might not otherwise seek support.
Anna Hargrave, deputy CEO, GambleAware
Hargrave added that the fund is in its final phase of delivery and praised the broader shift from fragmented services to whole-system responses.
Al-Hurraya’s operations manager and CRF project manager, Majit Bajwa, commented on the importance of the CRF, thanking GambleAware for allowing it to continue to support ethnically diverse communities.
We are deeply committed to raising awareness and reducing harm associated with gambling. We’ve been fortunate to work closely with our communities, offering both individual counseling and crucial family support.
Majit Bajwa, operations and CRF project manager, Al-Hurraya
A few days ago, GambleAware suggested the addition of problem gambling warnings to The National Lottery product, citing increasing evidence that it can serve as a gateway to problem gambling and addiction.