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Wheaton J, Ford B, Nairn A, Collard S. Towards a conceptual framework for the prevention of gambling-related harms: Findings from a scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298005. [PMID: 38517885 PMCID: PMC10959398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The global gambling sector has grown significantly over recent years due to liberal deregulation and digital transformation. Likewise, concerns around gambling-related harms-experienced by individuals, their families, their local communities or societies-have also developed, with growing calls that they should be addressed by a public health approach. A public health approach towards gambling-related harms requires a multifaceted strategy, comprising initiatives promoting health protection, harm minimization and health surveillance across different strata of society. However, there is little research exploring how a public health approach to gambling-related harms can learn from similar approaches to other potentially harmful but legal sectors such as the alcohol sector, the tobacco sector, and the high in fat, salt and sugar product sector. Therefore, this paper presents a conceptual framework that was developed following a scoping review of public health approaches towards the above sectors. Specifically, we synthesize strategies from each sector to develop an overarching set of public health goals and strategies which-when interlinked and incorporated with a socio-ecological model-can be deployed by a range of stakeholders, including academics and treatment providers, to minimise gambling-related harms. We demonstrate the significance of the conceptual framework by highlighting its use in mapping initiatives as well as unifying stakeholders towards the minimization of gambling-related harms, and the protection of communities and societies alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Wheaton
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Ford
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Psychological Sciences, School of Natural and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, United Kingdom
- The Department of Psychology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom
| | - Agnes Nairn
- University of Bristol Business School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sharon Collard
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Badu E, Hallett J, Vujcich D, Crawford G, Bellringer ME. Setting the scene: a scoping review of gambling research in Ghana. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad171. [PMID: 38091619 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghana, like many other African countries, has seen a rapid expansion in gambling industry activity in the last decade with sports betting becoming a popular pastime among young Ghanaian males. The proliferation of land based, and online gambling operations presents a significant public health threat to the citizenry. Yet little is known about gambling participation and harms, the size of the gambling market and the role of the gambling industry in influencing and perpetuating gambling behaviour in Ghana. The aim of this study was to contribute to understanding the extent of gambling research in Ghana by mapping out what the current literature indicates. Six databases were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles that focused on gambling in Ghana. The findings from this review demonstrate gambling research in Ghana is in a nascent state with a predominant focus on individual factors and limited consideration of public health. The implications for future research are highlighted, including the requirement for a nationally representative study to understand the prevalence of gambling participation and harm, and the role of the gambling industry. Public health action grounded in sound evidence is urgently required to address the individual and community level problems associated with this harmful commodity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Badu
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Jonathan Hallett
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Daniel Vujcich
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Gemma Crawford
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Building 400, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Maria E Bellringer
- Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, School of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland 0627, New Zealand
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Thomas S, Cowlishaw S, Francis J, van Schalkwyk MCI, Daube M, Pitt H, McCarthy S, McGee D, Petticrew M, Rwafa-Ponela T, Minja A, Fell G. Global public health action is needed to counter the commercial gambling industry. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad110. [PMID: 37738551 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Thomas
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sean Cowlishaw
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joel Francis
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - May C I van Schalkwyk
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mike Daube
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simone McCarthy
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mark Petticrew
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Teurai Rwafa-Ponela
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Greg Fell
- Director of Public Health, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield, UK
- Vice President UK Association of Directors of Public Health, UK
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Marko S, Thomas SL, Pitt H, Daube M. The lived experience of financial harm from gambling in Australia. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad062. [PMID: 37326408 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The financial consequences associated with harmful gambling create significant health and social stressors for individuals, their families, and communities. However, there has been limited research exploring how people impacted by gambling harm conceptualise and experience the financial impacts on their lives. To help fill this gap, this study used in-depth qualitative interviews with gamblers harmed by their own gambling and affected others harmed by someone else's gambling. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. The study had three key findings. First, prior to experiencing harm, gamblers and affected others did not consider the financial risks associated with gambling and only recognised the risks once the financial losses negatively impacted other areas of their lives. Second, gamblers and affected others managed the day-to-day financial impacts of gambling by adjusting their financial priorities, reducing spending in other areas, or accruing debt. Finally, the financial impacts of gambling and the associated financial management strategies led to broader and long-term problems for gamblers and affected others. This study demonstrates that financial harms from gambling are complex and contribute to the stigmatisation of people who experience harm. Current educational messages and tools simplify this complex issue and may legitimise gambling as a leisure activity which can be managed by making 'responsible' financial decisions. Public health and health promotion initiatives must recognise this complexity, developing approaches that are independent from the gambling industry and informed by lived experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Marko
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Samantha L Thomas
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Mike Daube
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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