LGBTQIA+ Communities Face Heightened Gambling Harms and Barriers to Support, UK Study Finds

LGBTQIA+ individuals may be disproportionately affected by gambling-related harms and encounter unique obstacles when seeking help, according to a recent study conducted in the UK.

Members of queer communities who gamble often face increased risk of harm, alongside support services that do not always meet their specific needs, the research suggests.

The study, led by Dr. Reece Bush-Evans, a senior psychology lecturer at Bournemouth University, explored the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ adults and identified three interconnected themes:

• Gambling as a coping mechanism for stress or marginalisation
• Perceptions that support services do not cater to gender or sexuality-related needs
• Experiences of discrimination and limited representation in gambling environments

Published in the Journal of Psychology and Sexuality in late 2025, the study highlights the complex challenges queer individuals face in navigating gambling behaviours and harms.

Dr. Bush-Evans explained the findings in a Bournemouth University article:

“Participants described using gambling to manage distress linked to the psychological burden of marginalisation. What stood out was the persistence of barriers to gambling support services related to sexuality and gender minority status, including fears of bias, limited representation, and a lack of support that reflects specific sexuality-and gender-related needs.”

Gambling Harms and Public Health

The research emphasises that gambling is a recognised public health concern with consequences that range from minor setbacks, like lost time, to serious outcomes including debt, crime, homelessness, and suicide. These harms often extend beyond finances to affect overall wellbeing and quality of life.

While men generally report higher levels of harm than women, previous studies suggest sexual and gender minorities may face elevated risk. Lesbian and bisexual women appear particularly affected, and transgender and non-binary people may be especially vulnerable.

Yet, the authors note that the experiences of LGBTQIA+ communities remain “largely absent from academic research and public health discourse,” creating “critical gaps” in understanding their specific risks, coping strategies, and access barriers. Capturing these realities is essential to designing effective harm reduction measures.

Insights from LGBTQIA+ Participants

To explore these experiences, the team interviewed 31 UK-based LGBTQIA+ adults aged 20–59 who had engaged in online gambling. The semi-structured interviews focused on gambling behaviours, harms, and access to support.

Gambling as an Escape

The first theme highlighted gambling as a form of escape from minority stress and exclusion. Many participants described gambling as a coping mechanism for discrimination and the challenges of navigating life as a minority.

“Life is harder when you’re the minority. It’s always on your mind. Even if it’s not, there is discrimination that’s not necessarily supposed to be hurtful. But it can be. So, you go home and switch off. Rather than thinking about what they said, it’s easier to gamble. You’re just thinking about the gambling and the free spins.”

Some participants reported limited family support or social connections, with gambling offering a temporary reprieve from feelings of isolation or discomfort with their LGBTQIA+ identity.

Barriers to Tailored Support

The second theme highlighted difficulties in accessing LGBTQIA+-inclusive gambling support. Participants noted fears of judgment, discrimination, or a lack of cultural understanding.

“There are always people that are going to be critical if they are aware of someone’s sexuality or if they are transgender. If it’s evident, if it’s clear that they are transgender to them without explicitly telling them, they might get different treatment.”

“I would feel happier knowing that it was a service tailored to LGBT because then you can be 100% open from the get-go and not worry about judgement.”

Unwelcoming Gambling Environments

Finally, participants described physical gambling spaces, such as betting shops and casinos, as often unwelcoming or discriminatory, leading many to engage primarily with online gambling platforms.

The Need for Inclusive, Culturally Competent Support

Dr. Bush-Evans said the study underscores that LGBTQIA+ individuals face ongoing systemic barriers when seeking gambling-related help.

“Taken together, these findings highlight the need for more inclusive and culturally competent gambling support, including improved staff training, visible inclusive signalling, and closer collaboration with LGBTQIA+ communities to ensure services are accessible, affirming, and responsible to diverse needs.”

The researchers advocate for “identity-affirming, culturally competent support” that recognises the unique challenges of LGBTQIA+ individuals. They stress that future research and policy must integrate these perspectives to ensure interventions are both inclusive and effective.

“Without this, gambling harm in marginalised communities will likely remain overlooked and inadequately addressed.”

Wider Context and Global Recommendations

A recent paper in The Lancet has also recommended global guidelines for LGBTQIA+ health services, advocating for care that:

1. Affirms and depathologises LGBTQIA+ identities

2. Recognises health through biopsychosocial and spiritual contexts

3. Offers culturally responsive, intersectionality-aware care

4. Partners with LGBTQIA+ communities to develop tailored support

5. Promotes LGBTQIA+ affirming practices across environments and systems

Dr. Bush-Evans shared his findings at the House of Commons during the launch of Recover with Pride, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ gambling harm support programme. He emphasised that minority stress, stigma, and insufficient culturally competent provision shape both gambling harms and recovery pathways.

“Marginalized communities’ experiences of gambling harm are not a niche concern — they are a public health and equality issue.”