Machines Research Study 1: Mapping the social and economic charateristics of high density gambling machine locations

This RGF-funded study into the location and distribution of gambling machines finds that the areas with the highest density of gambling machines are found in some of the poorest areas in Great Britain - those with populations that are, on average, younger, lower income, and in lower status jobs.

In a series of maps, authors* NatCen and Geofutures, build up a picture of the location of gambling venues in England, Scotland and Wales; the number of machines the venues hold; and the social and economic characteristics of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The report also reveals that, although areas of socio-economic deprivation are where many areas with the highest machine density are found, the overall pattern of distribution is more complex. For example, some wealthier towns, coastal locations, and New Towns are also high density machine zones.

There is no up-to-date, comprehensive and publicly available record showing the location and density of gambling machines in the UK. This is the first research of its kind in Great Britain and it fills that gap by compiling information about gambling machines from a range of sources.

It means policy-makers now have a good basis to go and try to find answers to some of the questions beyond the scope of this research. For example, whether a higher density of gambling machines in an area means that people living nearby will gamble more or what other factors are driving machines tending to cluster in particular areas.

The report forms part of RGF's work to commission and disseminate independent research to inform policy-making aimed at protecting vulnerable people from gambling-related harm.

Read the final report here.

Read the FAQs on this report here.

*RGF commissioned independent research organisations NatCen and Geofutures Ltd to carry out the research. The authors are Heather Wardle (for NatCen), and Ruth Keily, Mark Thurstain-Goodwin and Gaynor Astbury (for Geofutures Ltd).