Socioeconomic Status

Overview

Socio-Economic Status (SES) is a measure of a person's economic and social position; income, occupation, and education are compared to the rest of the population. The relationship between socio-economic status and gambling is complex. Gambling may be a factor for low SES. On the other hand, individuals with low SES may tend to have gambling problems.

Key Points

Research shows that individuals with a low SES are at greatest risk for gambling problems. Individuals with lower SES may experience greater financial consequences from gambling because they gamble a larger proportion of their income than those with higher SES. In addition, there are often increased opportunities to gamble in low SES areas, in particular electronic gambling machines. Finally, areas of low SES generally have higher rates of mental disorders, unemployment, and poverty. Some researchers suggest that gambling represents one of the few actions these individuals can take to significantly improve their financial situation (even if the chances are very low).

White Paper

GREO's white paper, Problem Gambling and Poverty, gives a more detailed overview of the socioeconomic factors that are linked to problem gambling risk, and recommendations for how to reduce the harms for those experiencing problem gambling and poverty.

Search the Evidence Centre for Socioeconomic Status

References

van der Maas, M. (2016). Problem gambling, anxiety and poverty: an examination of the relationship between poor mental health and gambling problems across socio-economic status. International Gambling Studies, 1-15.

Welte, J. W., Barnes, G. M., Wieczorek, W. F., Tidwell, M. C. O., & Parker, J. C. (2004). Risk factors for pathological gambling. Addictive Behaviors, 29(2), 323-335.

Wheeler, B. W., Rigby, J. E., & Huriwai, T. (2006). Pokies and poverty: problem gambling risk factor geography in New Zealand. Health & place,12(1), 86-96.

Callan, M. J., Ellard, J. H., Shead, N. W., & Hodgins, D. C. (2008). Gambling as a search for justice: Examining the role of personal relative deprivation in gambling urges and gambling behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34(11), 1514-1529.

Robitaille, É, & Herjean, P. (2008). An analysis of the accessibility of video lottery terminals: the case of Montréal. International Journal of Health Geographics, 7(1), 1.