Sentencers’ understanding and treatment of problem gamblers: The report of the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling

This report outlines sentencers’ understanding and awareness of problem gambling and gambling related crime, as well as sharing examples of sentencing practice in magistrates’ courts in England and Wales when problem gambling is raised as a contextual factor to the crime. The research has engendered a greater understanding of how problem gambling is understood and approached in court and makes suggestions for future improvements. In 2020, the Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling published a research landscape on crime and problem gambling authored by Commission member Sarah Ramanauskas which informed the commissioning of this research study. This research aims to identify: the extent to which sentencers in England and Wales are aware of problem gamblers coming before them in court; their practice when problem gambling is apparent within a case; and to elicit sentencers’ views on the potential for courts to account for problem gambling. This research has focused on magistrates as sentencers. Further consultation took place with a range of criminal justice stakeholders and those working in therapeutic problem gambling services, including fellow academic researchers in the field. This report is the product of collaborative work by a team from Staffordshire University, the Howard League for Penal Reform and the Magistrates Association. We extend thanks to Dr Jo Easton, Hattie Stair and Jon Collins who represented the Magistrates Association and Anita Dockley, Catryn Yousefi and Dr Helen Churcher from the Howard League for Penal Reform. Recognition goes to the wider research team at Staffordshire University including Associate Professor in Criminology Dr Jo Turner, Sarah Plimley, Simon Bratt, Kathryn McFarlyn and Laura Bailey. Particular appreciation and acknowledgement go to Anita Dockley and Dr Helen Churcher from the Howard League for Penal Reform for editing this report and Associate Professor Dr Jo Turner from Staffordshire University for related advice and guidance.