Study examines impact of problem gambling on housing stability

Aston University’s Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing conducted a two-year study investigating the impact of compulsive gambling on household stability. The research highlights the major repercussions of compulsive gambling, such as the potential loss of a home.

According to this groundbreaking study, which was carried out in collaboration with Birmingham City Council (BCC), problem gamblers are twice as likely to have rental issues as occasional gamblers. Four out of ten problem gamblers, who often borrowed money or went to loan sharks, had trouble paying their rent, compared to two out of ten casual gamblers.

In addition, 31% of those affected by a loved one’s gambling problem said they owed rent. The BCC underlined the need of researching the connection between problem gambling and housing instability and acknowledged the rising influence of gambling addiction on tenancy loss. The council wants to come up with strategies to lessen the possibility of tenancy problems stemming from gaming.

The report offers suggestions for encouraging collaboration between support organizations and housing providers. To effectively address the issue, this entails educating housing personnel and tenants on how to recognize warning signs of gambling damage, setting up systems for aid referrals, and promoting cross-sector cooperation.

The director of the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing, Professor Andy Lymer, emphasized the study’s applicability outside of the BCC, suggesting it would be helpful for other landlord councils or social housing providers. He underlined the possible benefits of working with organizations that provide gambling treatment.

The project’s lead researcher, Dr. Halima Sacranie, underlined the need of working with support organizations and proposed creating a “traffic light system” to assess risk and adjust therapies accordingly.

The ongoing project aims to enhance and evaluate interventions proposed to Birmingham City Council, with a focus on creating a comprehensive awareness and support system tailored to tenants’ need. We encourage anybody who is interested in helping with this initiative to get in touch with the council.

Original story by: Gambling News