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## Wales: Is Where You Gamble Determined by Where You Live?
Elissa Hubbard knows the grim allure of slots. At nine years old, the Betfred machine at her local pub became more exciting than the playground. Years later, online gambling nearly consumed her, threatening her financial stability and her marriage. At one point, she lost all the wedding money her and her wife had received – on their wedding night.
“It had just stripped me of a personality,” Elissa recounts, the rawness of the event still present in her voice. She describes a descent into toxic reliance on wins and the crushing blow of yet another loss. “All my self-worth had gone”, revealing a deep chasm left after years battling her addiction.
Now clean, Elissa lives in Rhyl, Wales. Unfortunately, she’s surrounded by sobering reminders of her past: betting shops, casinos, and arcades, a stark backdrop to her newfound recovery. This density of gambling venues is not unique to Rhyl.
Data from BBC Wales revealed a stark truth: web 71 gambling premises populate the poorest 10% of Welsh communities, compared to just eight in the top 10% wealthiest areas. “It’s people that are on a lower income that will try to gamble to make more money for themselves,” Elissa observes – a painful reflection of her personal journey. “There’s just no need for how many there are in one area…because, you know, you could do a self-exclusion, but that won’t cover you from arcades or adult gaming centres.”
The situation fuels concerns about legalization’s impact. Dr. Jamie Torrance of Swansea University, who specializes in the psychology of gambling, argues: “Both financial hardship and being unemployed are significant risk factors for the development of disordered gambling.”
He posits that PEIsistence
advertising techniques can compound this risk: “You never see people losing money …you’ll never see people experiencing harm. All you’ll ever see is people winning, feeling happy and excited.” To him, consistent exposure to glamorous portrayals of online gambling creates a disparity between expectations and reality.
Welsh officials are pushing back. Conservative Senedd member Darren Millar laments bookmakers’ “driving and fueling” of addiction – particularly by strategically
placing their businesses in vulnerable communities.
His concerns are echoed by Welsh calls for
specialized treatment clinics.
While the Betting and Gaming Council claims that its members contribute millions for harm reduction campaigns, the heart of the matter remains:
for Elissa, EVERY
corner store is a reminder. How many more will fall into the web of addiction?
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