Gambling Harms and Mental Health

Community Discussion Groups: Phase 2 Research Project

In 2026, BEMIS Scotland delivered the first phase of a project exploring gambling-related harms and mental health within ethnic minority communities across Scotland. Through community discussions and engagement, participants shared valuable insights about the factors contributing to gambling harms, the impact on individuals and families, and the barriers communities can face when accessing support.

We are now beginning Phase 2 of the project, funded by the Scottish Government through the Gambling Harm and Mental Health Fund, administered by ALLIANCE. This phase will explore in greater depth the relationship between financial insecurity, gambling-related harm and mental health, and how these issues affect ethnic minority communities across Scotland.

As part of this work, we are inviting people from a range of communities to take part in small discussion groups.

You do not need to have any personal experience of gambling or gambling-related harm to take part.

We are interested in hearing your views, experiences and insights about the challenges and issues facing your community. You can share as little or as much as you feel comfortable with.

The findings from this round of consultations will be used to develop recommendations for policymakers, community organisations, and services providing gambling, financial wellbeing and mental health support. We also plan to develop community resources and information materials to help raise awareness and ensure support is more accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to the specific needs of different ethnic minority communities.

All participants will receive a £50 participation payment for attending.

Before you register

  • You do not need to have experienced gambling or gambling-related harm to take part. We are interested in community perspectives and experiences.
  • Participation is completely voluntary and you can share as little or as much as you feel comfortable with.
  • We recognise that some of the topics discussed may be sensitive. If taking part raises any concerns or difficult feelings, we can provide information about support services and connect participants with a free multilingual counselling service.
  • Discussions will be conducted in a respectful and confidential environment. Any information shared will be anonymised, and no names or identifying information will be included in reports, publications or project outputs.
  • Interpretation and language support can be arranged where required.
  • Participants will receive a £50 participation payment for taking part.
  • For in-person sessions, lunch will be provided and travel costs can be reimbursed.

If you have any questions about the project or the discussion groups, please contact our Race, Equality and Human Rights Policy Officer, Charlotte below:

Email

Sessions

Roma Community Discussion Group

Open to members of the Roma community in Scotland

  • Thursday 12 November
  • Partner-led session
Sign-ups closed

Central and Eastern European Communities Discussion Group

Open to people from Eastern European backgrounds, including (but not limited to) Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Czech, Bulgarian, Lithuanian and Latvian communities living in Scotland.

  • Tuesday 17 November, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
  • Online
  • 6-8 participants
Sign up

Arabic-Speaking Women’s Discussion Group

Open to women from Arabic-speaking backgrounds living in Scotland.

  • Thursday 19 November, 11:30am – 1:30pm
  • In BEMIS Office
  • 6–8 participants
  • Lunch provided
  • Travel costs can be reimbursed
Sign up

Ethnic Minority Communities Living in Rural Areas Discussion Group

Open to people from ethnic minority communities living in rural and island areas of Scotland.

We are interested in understanding how financial pressures can affect gambling behaviours, mental health and wellbeing, as well as the support and services available to communities.

  • Monday 23 November, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
  • Online
  • 6–8 participants
Sign up

African Women’s Discussion Group

Open to women from African communities living in Scotland.

  • Thursday 03 December, 11:30am – 1:30pm
  • In BEMIS Office
  • 6–8 participants
  • Lunch provided
  • Travel costs can be reimbursed
Sign up

Cantonese speaking Discussion Group

Open to Cantonese speaking communities living in Scotland

  • Monday 07 December
  • Partner-led session
Sign-ups closed

Irish Community Discussion Group

Open to the Irish community living in Scotland

  • Partner-led session
Sign-ups closed

Mental Health Support

If you have been affected by gambling, money worries, debt, stress, or concerns about someone else’s gambling, support is available. We have compiled a list of available support here:

As well as these services, BEMIS can arrange personal mental health support from a qualified counsellor for participants in this programme.

You can request this via the forum linked below:

Request support

This project is funded through The ALLIANCE Gambling and Mental Health Fund