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Investigating LGBTQ+ Gambling Research In Bournemouth Pride
At this year's 'Born Free' Pride Festival in Bournemouth, Dr. Reese Bush-Evans, a lecturer in psychology who represents Bournemouth University, discussed research on the impact of gambling on LGBTQ+ communities and why people in those communities can turn to gambling.
Dr. Bush-Evans took the stand with partners from charities such as Ygam and Gordon Moody Association who work to prevent gambling damage. The association provides advice and support to people with gambling addiction.
The early findings of his study suggested that gambling can be used as a coping mechanism for some people, and that others in the community can use it as a means to conceal their sexual tastes. The study also revealed that some LGBTQ+ people who gamble online do so because they feel that physical premises can be a threatening environment for them.
Dr. Bush-Evans said at the festival. "Gambling is enjoyed very safely by many people. However, there are a significant number of individuals, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, who may be exposed to gambling damage.
"So we're here to talk about the community and their gambling experience and see if there's any problem we can help." Some of the interviews conducted as part of the study explored why some people in the LGBTQ+ community can gamble. The reasons for being considered are as mentioned by Dr. Bush-Evans:
"For example, life stressors experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, such as bullying, discrimination and social isolation, can trigger a mechanism by which some individuals turn to gambling."
White Hat rolls out proprietary Travelling Wallet in Iowa
iGaming platform White Hat Gaming has introduced its proprietary PAM including its first-to-market Travelling Wallet solution for casino to the US state of Iowa.
The wallet allows players to move from state to state and between gaming verticals, retaining their balance in each without the need to transfer funds.
The solution has seen significant uptake across America, having been rolled out in 10 states to date with further expansion expected across the country as more states regulate online gambling.
While the process offers the player a seamless wallet functionality, background transfers in and out are recorded in state ledgers for reporting and accounting purposes.
This follows the recent exclusive distributor partnership between WHG’s content division, White Hat Studios and Scientific Games’ OpenGaming platform, which will see the provider’s games and jackpots brought to the US market early next year.
Daniel Lechner, VP Sales & Marketing at White Hat Gaming, said: “The American opportunity certainly hasn’t been understated as far as we can see. Online Sports Betting and iGaming is taking off in the states and we are delighted to now be live in Iowa.
“As more US markets regulate state-by-state, we are proud to offer operators and their players a solution that isn’t limited by state lines, allowing customers to continue enjoying the games they love while on the road.”
White Hat rolls out proprietary Travelling Wallet in Iowa
iGaming platform White Hat Gaming has introduced its proprietary PAM including its first-to-market Travelling Wallet solution for casino to the US state of Iowa.
The wallet allows players to move from state to state and between gaming verticals, retaining their balance in each without the need to transfer funds.
The solution has seen significant uptake across America, having been rolled out in 10 states to date with further expansion expected across the country as more states regulate online gambling.
While the process offers the player a seamless wallet functionality, background transfers in and out are recorded in state ledgers for reporting and accounting purposes.
This follows the recent exclusive distributor partnership between WHG’s content division, White Hat Studios and Scientific Games’ OpenGaming platform, which will see the provider’s games and jackpots brought to the US market early next year.
Daniel Lechner, VP Sales & Marketing at White Hat Gaming, said: “The American opportunity certainly hasn’t been understated as far as we can see. Online Sports Betting and iGaming is taking off in the states and we are delighted to now be live in Iowa.
“As more US markets regulate state-by-state, we are proud to offer operators and their players a solution that isn’t limited by state lines, allowing customers to continue enjoying the games they love while on the road.”
Pragmatic Play makes €20k donation in Romania
Pragmatic Play has continued with its mission of making an impact in local communities where it is based by contributing to a life-changing intervention with the Blondie Association in Romania.
Pragmatic Play donated €20,000 to the Blondie Association, and this money went towards covering the cost of a flight to Palermo for Damian, a small baby boy that required a liver transplant. His incredible mother donated part of her liver to give Damian a fighting chance for a better life.
Blondie Association’s main aim is to assist severely sick children with getting the medical care they desperately need by flying them to countries where they can receive the proper medical attention. The Association raises awareness of this issue and organises flights to help these children get better. Unfortunately, many children in Romania are unable to receive adequate medical care for their conditions, and their only chance at surviving is to take a flight to other European countries.
Two members of the Pragmatic Play team from Bucharest, Oana and Ana, were on board the flight from Romania to Palermo and helped Damian and his parents to have a safe and comfortable trip. In what was an emotional experience, Pragmatic Play was honoured to allow Damian’s mother to make such a strong and loving maternal sacrifice for her son.
This donation has been one of many that Pragmatic Play has made in 2021 across their European hubs of Malta, Gibraltar and Romania. So far this year, in Romania they have given away €65,700 and affected real change in the communities where they are based.
GAMSTOP and YGAM raise awareness of gambling harm among students
In a survey of 2,000 students across the UK, conducted by Censuswide, 80% had gambled and 41% admitted gambling had a negative impact on their university experience. The independent research was jointly commissioned by GAMSTOP, the national online self-exclusion scheme, and The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), a charity that educates and safeguards vulnerable people against gaming and gambling-related harms.
More than one third (35%) are using money either from their student loan, overdraft, have borrowed from friends or are taking out payday loans to help fund their gambling. Nearly one in five (19%) admit to using their student loan to gamble.
The mean gambling spend for students is £31.52 per week and almost one in five (18%) admit to spending more than £50 per week, although 45% say they spend no more than £10 a week. Nearly four in ten (38%) say they gamble at least once a week, with 63% gambling at least once a month.
More than one in four (28%) say they are gambling as often, or more often, than before the pandemic and 29% say they are spending as much or more than they did before the pandemic. The most popular gambling products during the pandemic have been the National Lottery (32%), online sports betting (25%) and online bingo (18%).
Almost half the students who gamble (46%) say that making money is a motivation – the most common reason given – and one in four (25%) say they enjoy the risk. More than half (52%) say that gambling makes them feel excited and one in three (33%) say it makes them happy, compared to one in five (21%) who describe feeling anxious.
Amongst students who gamble, more than one in three (36%) have invested in cryptocurrency in the last 12 months – compared to just 17% of students who do not gamble.
Students also revealed that their friends are the biggest influence on their gambling (34%) with nearly one in four (23%) most influenced by social media and 14% of students identifying gambling advertising as a key influence on their gambling.
The new research on student gambling is the first published since the pandemic and follows previous research commissioned by YGAM in 2019. The previous report produced by Red Brick Research found that 264,000 students in the UK were at some risk from gambling harm with around 88,000 already defined as problem gamblers.
Following the publication of the report, YGAM are joining forces with GAMSTOP and RecoverMe, an app that provides self-help tools to those suffering from a gambling problem, to launch a campaign raising awareness of gambling harms amongst students and promoting support available to students who may be struggling. During the ‘Gambling Support University Tour’ the three organisations will visit university campuses throughout the UK to speak to students and university staff. YGAM will also be offering City & Guilds assured training to the university teams to better equip them to support their students.
Adil Nayeem, Co-founder of RecoverMe, said: “This research highlights how the student population can be a high-risk group for gambling-related harm. We created RecoverMe when one of our close friends at university struggled with a gambling addiction and did not know where to turn. RecoverMe gives students multiple strategies to manage acute urges and support those suffering from a gambling problem with a discreet, flexible and evidence-based programme.”
Bray Ash, 29 is currently studying mental health nursing at King’s College London, he experienced gambling harms first-hand while in higher education.
Bray Ash said: “When you go to university for the first time and you have student finance, money from your parents and other financial support you can be tempted to gamble recklessly. It took over my life – I wasn’t studying, I was just sitting in my halls gambling. At my second year of university, I ended up gambling away my student loan in the first 24 hours.
“It is important that students have access to organisations, such as YGAM, to educate them about gambling and provide support and that they are aware of essential tools such as self-exclusion if they are experiencing problems with their gambling. I know that it would have benefited me when I was at my lowest point”.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, said: “Gambling-related harm on our campuses is a subject that is rarely addressed, but for any students experiencing problems with their gambling, self-exclusion can give them valuable breathing space whilst they seek additional help. With online gambling increasingly prevalent during the pandemic, the research shows the importance of raising awareness of a free online self-exclusion service, which is accessible to all.”
Daniel Bliss, director of external affairs at YGAM, added: “This research provides us with some valuable insights into the behaviours of students during the pandemic. We’re keen to build on this piece of work to better understand how our programmes can safeguard and support students. The findings reiterate the importance of educating our young people on the risks and harms associated with gambling. Education is a powerful tool to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to help prevent harm.”
