This is the third international interdisciplinary colloquium hosted by the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research, which since its launch in 2022, has funded 32 projects across nine countries.
Findings from those projects have been instrumental in improving public policy, strengthening consumer protection, and shaping more inclusive treatment services for those affected by gambling harms. In the UK alone, there are up to 496 gambling related suicides per year, whilst more than 85,000 children suffer from gambling related harms.
This year’s colloquium, which will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, takes place on Thursday 16 October at ‘We the Curious’ in the centre of Bristol. It will showcase the breadth of the Hub’s interdisciplinary work and provide an opportunity for people to connect and engage with researchers and project investigators who are at the forefront of addressing an increasing global epidemic.
Hub Co-Director Professor Agnes Nairn, who this year was recruited to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) College of Experts, said: “As in previous years we hope to see a wide range of people from policy, practice, academia and lived experience to discuss openly and frankly how we can work together to tackle gambling harms across disciplinary, practice and international boundaries.”
Opening the day will be a keynote speech from the MP Alex Ballinger, who has campaigned to tighten regulations on gambling advertising and improve protections for vulnerable individuals.
Among the other keynote speakers will be Observer journalist Jon Ungoed-Thomas, opening a series of conversations on the role of data and AI in gambling. Dr Gregory Jumah Nyongesa from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Kenya will speak to the Hub’s work as part of the Pan-African Gambling Harms Research Network.
Several of the University of Bristol’s own experts will contribute to discussions throughout the day, including consumer protection and public policy specialist Dr Raffaello Rossi, whose team is currently conducting its third study into patterns of gambling marketing during the Premier League season – previous findings from which exposed the ineffectiveness of the gambling industry’s tokenistic self-regulation measures.
“Our studies show that gambling marketing in Britain remains as pervasive as ever, whilst having some of the most lenient gambling marketing restrictions in Europe, putting the country at risk of falling behind international best practice,” said Dr Rossi.
“International events like the Colloquium help bring together evidence and perspectives from around the world to drive stronger protections.”
Registration details along with the complete programme order, including the list of speakers and presentations, can be found on the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research website here.