National survey of gambling and gambling harms in LGBTQIA+ communities in Great Britain

Abstract Background Gambling is a global public health concern associated with wide ranging harms, which disproportionately impact vulnerable groups. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (and non-binary), and queer people (LGBTQIA+) experience significant health inequalities in comparison to heterosexual and cis-gendered populations. However, there is limited research exploring gambling and gambling harms in LGBTQIA+ communities. Accurate estimates of gambling harms, as well as an understanding of risk and protective factors, are needed to inform public health interventions. This study aims to explore gambling behaviours and prevalence of gambling harms in LGBTQIA+ communities in Great Britain. Methods Online cross-sectional quantitative survey of 3038 nationally representative LGBTQIA+ adults (gay/lesbian n = 1363; bisexual n = 1248; other sexual orientation n = 389; trans/non-binary n = 364; intersex n = 78) in Great Britain recruited via YouGov's online panel. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) was used to measure gambling harms. Preliminary results 59.3% gambled in the last 12 months. Participation in the National Lottery was the most common type of gambling, with 37.0% having done so in the last year. Main reasons for gambling were financial (making money: 46.9%; winning big and changing lifestyle: 44.6%) and entertainment (fun and exciting: 31.6%). The prevalence of low (PGSI 1-2) and moderate risk (PGSI 3-7) gambling in the overall LGBTQIA+ sample was 9.4% (95% CI 8.3%-10.5%) and 4.7% (CI 3.9%-5.6%), respectively. The prevalence of “problem” gambling (PGSI 8+) for the overall LGBTQ+ sample was 3.5% (95% CI 2.7%-4.4%); gay/lesbian 2.8% (95% CI 1.9%-4.2%); bisexual 3.7% (95% CI 2.6%-5.3%); trans/non-binary 2.0% (95% CI 0.9%-4.6%); and intersex 34.7% (95% CI 23.6%-47.7%). Protective and risk factors for gambling harms will be explored. Conclusions These findings have important implications in terms of intervention and prevention for gambling harms in LGBTQIA+ communities. Key messages • Improved understanding of gambling harms in LGBTQIA+ communities to inform the development of targeted interventions. • A need for LGBTQIA+ culturally competent gambling support and treatment.