Our approach to research, evidence and insights
We are the strategic commissioner of the prevention, early intervention and treatment of gambling harms in Great Britain. We commission research on:
- understanding gambling harms
- gambling harm stigma
- impact on communities
- prevention programmes
- support and treatment services
- policy and regulation
This approach is in line with our charitable objectives and our organisational strategy.
How research is carried out
Our research grants are awarded through open competition. Calls for proposals, including clear assessment criteria, are published on our website.
Funding decisions are made using assessment panels. Panels include independent external subject matter experts and individuals with lived experience. Panels score proposals against the published assessment criteria.
The gambling industry has no input at any stage of the research commissioning, delivery or publication process.
Our partners
We work with a range of partners across the sector, including:
- research agencies
- universities
- community networks
- academic experts
- research and community consultants
Collaboration
Multi-disciplinary collaboration is either encouraged or required for research programme grants. This approach:
- ensures a diversity of expertise and perspectives
- ensures methodological and programmatic robustness
- facilitates the involvement of communities themselves
- maximises the relevance of the research to policy and practice
Methodologies
Our research involves a variety of methods, both quantitative and qualitative, such as:
- literature review
- critical discourse analysis
- representative large-scale surveys
- semi-structured and unstructured qualitative interviews
- ethnographic methods or direct observation
- systematic review
Focus on inequalities
Because of the importance of addressing inequalities, a lot of our research focuses on the lived experience of communities who are more likely to be:
- marginalised
- socially excluded
- stigmatised
Our research is underpinned by a commitment to make sure those communities are meaningfully involved.
Filling gaps on under-researched areas of gambling
We are the leading commissioner of:
- building awareness of gambling harms
- filling gaps in the evidence base on under-researched areas of gambling
This research focuses on foundational evidence on the scale, nature and experience of gambling harms. It also includes programmes to build the capacity and infrastructure of the gambling lived experience movement. As well as providing public and social benefits, putting the lived experience community's voice and perspective at the centre helps to inform:
- public debate and discourse
- local strategies to address gambling harms
Key examples of this research include:
- research on the nature and scale of gambling-related stigma
- research on young people’s experiences of advertising
- research on young people’s experiences of loot boxes
- local area estimates of the prevalence of gambling harms and demand for support
- annual statistics for the National Gambling Support Network
- support for the Gambling Lived Experience Network
- local and regional data profiles
Treatment needs and gap analysis in Great Britain
Annual GB Treatment & Support Survey - 2023 report
Guidance for researchers
We have published guidelines on how to engage and involve people with lived experience of gambling harms.
We have an established review process for all published research outputs, to ensure rigour and quality. This includes external peer review by independent subject matter or methodological experts.
Funding opportunities
We have research funding opportunities available throughout the year. Our research funding helps us increase our understanding of gambling harms.
