Charity Warns of Gambling Risks in Deprived Areas of Dudley

Charity Warns of Gambling Risks in Deprived Areas of Dudley

People living in deprived areas of Dudley face heightened gambling-related risks, according to analysis produced by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit. The findings indicate Dudley’s two licensed Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) are located in neighbourhoods ranked among the 20% most deprived areas in mainland Britain—prompting concern from gambling harm charity GambleAware about the impact on local communities.

Why location matters

AGCs can operate 24/7 and typically offer gaming machines with potential payouts of hundreds of pounds. GambleAware’s transition CEO Anna Hargrave highlighted the link between deprivation and harm, stating: “Our research has shown those in the most deprived areas are two times more likely to experience gambling harms.” She also raised concerns about the clustering of venues in vulnerable locations.

Hargrave added that gaming machines—particularly slot machines—are associated with high levels of gambling-related harm, and that: “One in two people using gaming machines in the past year experienced ‘problem gambling’.”

Where the venues are

Dudley Council licenses the borough’s two AGCs: Quicksilver on High Street in Brierley Hill, and Shipleys Mirage Centre on Hagley Street in Halesowen.

The gaming industry argues AGCs operate within a strict regulatory framework. Allastar Gair, communications director at trade association BACTA, said: “Operators do not target deprived areas; they take on long-term empty units and invest in high streets that need regeneration.”

What the wider data suggests

The BBC data indicates Dudley is one of only twelve authorities in the study where 100% of its AGCs are located in areas of high deprivation. The same work identified Bolton as having the highest number of AGCs in this category, with six venues.

Across England, Scotland and Wales, the research suggests 48% of AGCs are located in the two most deprived categories: 435 in the most deprived areas, and another 229 in the second most deprived areas.

A broader local footprint of gambling venues

Beyond AGCs, Dudley is reported to have 26 betting shops, six bingo halls, and one casino listed in the Gambling Commission’s register of licensed premises. The concentration of venues in areas already facing economic pressure continues to fuel debate about whether further scrutiny and regulation is needed to better protect at-risk communities.

For reference, one example of a licensed, land-based casino in the region is Grosvenor Casino Birmingham Hill Street.

Support and advice

If gambling is affecting you or someone you care about, confidential help is available in Great Britain via GambleAware and the National Gambling Helpline (24/7).