New research published by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) on 27 October shows that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Great Britain are at greater risk of gambling-related harm than white participants, despite lower rates of gambling participation overall.
Study Finds Ethnic Differences in UK Gambling Habits and Risks
The study looked at data from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB). NatCen and University of Glasgow researchers combined three years of findings to explore differences between white, mixed or multiple ethnic, Asian, black and other ethnic groups. Results indicated significantly different gambling habits, levels of risk, and consequences reported by participants. They also mentioned gaps in the need for assistance and the use of available support services.
White participants reported they were more likely to have gambled in the four weeks prior to the survey. However, much of this gap was due to their greater participation in National Lottery and charity lottery draws.
When researchers excluded people who had only bought lottery tickets, the differences in overall participation were reduced. Participants from ethnic minority backgrounds reported greater engagement with other types of gambling.
Those identifying as mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds had particularly high rates of participation in non-lottery activities. They were about five times more likely than white participants to have placed in-person bets on the outcomes of events.
Mixed or multiple ethnic and black participants were also more likely to have gambled on at least three different types of gambling in the four-week period.
UK Study Finds Higher Problem Gambling Rates Among Ethnic Minorities
The report revealed elevated Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) scores across all ethnic minority groups compared with white participants.
The proportion of the total population scoring 8 or more on the PGSI, indicating problem gambling, ranged from 1.9% in white participants to 7.7% in participants from mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds.
Participants from ethnic minorities who had gambled recently were also more likely to report serious consequences. These included breakups in relationships, major financial losses and other troubles affecting their health, finances or personal relationships.
Some of the differences were explained by differences in demographic characteristics, socioeconomic circumstances and gambling participation. However, researchers said those factors did not explain most of the differences in risk and adverse outcomes.
The study also showed that the ethnic disparities were bigger in people with lower PGSI scores. Among recent gamblers who scored zero, 2.7% of white participants reported at least one other possible adverse outcome. For ethnic minority groups, the equivalent figures ranged from 7.0% to 10.6%. These results indicate existing measures of gambling risk may not fully capture the struggles of some individuals.
Ethnic minority participants were more likely to seek help for gambling, but the level of help-seeking was still less than the need indicated by the findings. Approximately three-quarters of participants scoring three or higher on the PGSI had not accessed any form of support, regardless of their ethnicity.
The UKGC said the research contributes to its evidence base to understand gambling behavior across different communities. More research with people with first-hand experience of gambling-related harm may help to explain the differences and inform more effective prevention and support strategies.
New research published by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) on 27 October shows that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Great Britain are at greater risk of gambling-related harm than white participants, despite lower rates of gambling participation overall. Study Finds Ethnic Differences in UK Gambling Habits and Risks The study looked at data from