“They Just go Together Like Eggs and Bacon”: Exploring the Nexus of Gambling and Grassroots Football in England

Research Question:
This benchmark mixed-methods study examines gambling in grassroots football in England. While most research on gambling harms focuses on professional football, the role of gambling in grassroots football culture remains underexplored. This research addresses two questions: 1) what is the prevalence of gambling behaviours and associated harms amongst grassroots football players?; and 2) considering the everyday practices of grassroots footballers, how does gambling become entrenched within grassroots football culture?

Research Methods:
This study employed a mixed-methods approach, including a quantitative survey (n=270) with grassroots football players aged 11-68 to assess gambling prevalence and behaviours, and qualitative interviews (n=39) to explore the socio-cultural entanglement of gambling and football practices. A practice theory lens was used to examine the mechanisms interlocking gambling into grassroots football.

Results and Findings:
13% of adult grassroots footballers were classified as experiencing ‘problem gambling’ (PGSI 8+), compared to 2.5% of adults in the general population, suggesting a five-times higher prevalence. Nearly 99% of our survey participants also regularly watched televised professional football, while gambling, social drinking, and football formed a tightly integrated nexus, coordinated through three mechanisms: technology and temporal sequencing; team social interactions driving and normalising gambling; and gambling wins providing cultural capital for social status.

Implications:
To mitigate gambling harms, the Government should legislate to reduce gambling marketing exposure and sports governing bodies should embed gambling harm education in coach training. Additionally, grassroots clubs should collaborate with charities to deliver harm prevention training and support, fostering a culture of awareness and help-seeking.