Benjamin Howard, a 36-year-old gay man from Warwickshire, is a lived experience advisor on the project and passionate advocate for reducing gambling harms in LGBTQ+ communities. Having spent 14 years gambling and now five years in recovery, he shared:
“Gambling entered my life the night I first left a gay bar. After years of exploring my sexuality and never quite fitting in, I didn’t want to say no when the group headed to the casino. I felt included, like I belonged, and I clung to that feeling. But what followed was devastating: I lost relationships, my home, my career, and ended up in the criminal justice system."
“Gambling became a way to escape the pain of rejection, but it only deepened the harm. For LGBTQ+ people, especially those facing discrimination or isolation, gambling can feel like a safe space, but it’s often anything but. We need trauma-informed, inclusive support that understands these dynamics. We need regulation that protects, not profits from, our vulnerability. And we need to be seen, not just in the data, but in the design of services that help us heal.”
The national survey and participant interviews revealed a strong need for improved support for LGBTQ+ people affected by gambling harm. Among those who gambled, individuals who scored 1 or higher on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) – a measure used to assess the severity of gambling problems – reported wanting advice, support, or treatment, and some had already sought help in the past 12 months. Participants advocated for banning gambling advertising, likening addiction to smoking or alcoholism.
Dr Alexandra Sawyer, Principal Investigator and Principal Research Fellow at the University of Brighton, said: “Our research provides the clearest insight yet into gambling harms in LGBTQ+ communities in Great Britain. By highlighting the patterns and personal stories behind the data, we aim to inform policy, raise awareness, and reduce harm. We are calling for fairer legislation, stricter advertising rules, stronger age verification, and public campaigns to emphasise the risks of gambling.”
Dr Laetitia Zeeman, Principal Investigator and Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton, added: “This study’s findings are vital for developing inclusive, evidence-based approaches to prevention and support for LGBTQ+ people. When we tackle gambling harms, protecting the health of LGBTQ+ people is more important now than ever before, as we work towards greater health equity.”
Lauren Hunter, Acting Head of Community and Inequalities Research at GambleAware, said: “Gambling harms can affect anyone, but it's research projects such as this one that highlight how they can impact different communities. My hope is that this research will prompt people to talk more about any harm they are experiencing and realise that there are services and support they can access for help.”
Kate Gosschalk, Associate Director of YouGov, said: “Building on GambleAware’s flagship Treatment and Support survey, this survey specifically focusses on LGBTQ+ communities – an under-researched group when it comes to gambling. Our multi-method approach and large sample of 3,000 adults allows for in-depth analysis of the research, exploring different subgroups within the community.”
Robert Sainsbury, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, said: “This research shines a light on an issue that has been hidden for far too long. Gambling harms don’t happen in isolation, they are connected to the discrimination, exclusion and mental distress that too many LGBTQ+ people still face.”
“At Switchboard, we see daily how stigma and isolation can drive people to seek escape in harmful ways. Understanding these experiences is the first step toward change. We need inclusive, trauma-informed support that recognises the realities of LGBTQ+ lives and ensures that no one is left unseen or unsupported.”
The research was led by the University of Brighton, working with and and funded by with key contributions from , , and support from , and the University of Brighton's Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender.