How gambling and domestic abuse are plunging women into homelessness

“Not one person questioned the domestic abuse and the control over the finances,” said a victim-survivor of gambling-related domestic abuse. “Not once did I say I’m financially broken, homeless and got debt. If they said does he isolate you, has he controlled your finances, I would’ve said yes.”

This testimony highlights how, for some women, seeking help for gambling-related domestic abuse can itself be traumatic. It reveals how support systems for victim-survivors can fail to recognise gambling-related domestic abuse, intensifying their distress.

Recognising these challenges led to an extensive programme of research exploring the relationship between gambling, domestic abuse, and housing. This intersection has received limited attention in research, policy, and practice, even though gambling harms and domestic abuse are complex and intertwined issues that can devastate families. Early recognition and intervention are critical to protecting the wellbeing and safety of women and their families, safeguarding tenancies and enabling access to effective support.

Read more:

• Experts share how to spot the warning signs of gambling addiction
• ‘There was no way out’: Survivors of domestic abuse forced to stay with abusers or face destitution
• It’s time universal credit is paid differently so women in a controlling relationship can leave their abuser

Four UK universities – Durham University, Cranfield University, University of Nottingham, and University of Sheffield – together with domestic abuse and gambling harm support organisations – Addressing Domestic Abuse and Betknowmore UK, conducted this research. This independent research was funded by a regulatory settlement approved by the Gambling Commission. The research team are grateful to the Gambling Commission for the support provided.

Led by Durham University Business School, the consortium has published a detailed report examining women’s experiences of gambling-related domestic abuse and the housing challenges they face. The research aims to inform practice and influence key policy areas, including the Domestic Abuse Act, the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategies, and Child Poverty strategies.

The research identified two key dynamics: gambling-related domestic abuse, where a perpetrator’s gambling drives or intensifies abuse, and domestic abuse-related gambling, where women themselves gamble as a way of coping with domestic abuse. The former was most common among participants.

Women reported experiencing multiple forms of abuse recognised under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, and coercive control. In some cases, abuse continued after separation and was perpetrated digitally as well as in-person. Financial harms were widespread. Perpetrators stole money, incurred debts in victim-survivors’ names, misused identities to obtain loans, and exerted coercive control over household finances. Many women only discovered debts or fraud when financial crises occurred or after separating from the perpetrators. In some cases, violence or threats were used to force women to provide money for gambling or to
coerce them into taking on debts.

Some women described how their own gambling became a coping mechanism, offering temporary emotional or physical escape from abuse or the hope of winning enough money to leave an abusive relationship. However, this deepened financial hardship and vulnerability, and sometimes their gambling provoked further abuse.

The impacts were far-reaching, including bankruptcy, severe debt, and long-term financial instability. Some women reported engaging in high-risk activities to obtain money; some women were imprisoned for gambling-related crimes. Mental health impacts included anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, loss of trust, and suicidal ideation.

Children were also affected, either as direct targets of abuse or as witnesses to violence and financial exploitation. Many experienced instability, poverty, and disruption caused by housing insecurity and family breakdown.

Housing instability was a central theme in the research. Gambling-related debts frequently resulted in rent arrears, mortgage default, eviction, and homelessness. Post-separation housing was often insecure or of poor quality, undermining women’s efforts to rebuild their lives.

Many women also described systemic barriers when seeking legal and financial support. For example, some were denied legal aid because their names appeared on joint mortgages with perpetrators, despite having no access to the household finances. Barriers to seeking help were complex. Some women did not initially recognise their experiences as domestic abuse, particularly where financial abuse was hidden or normalised within relationships. Cultural, religious, and social pressures sometimes discouraged disclosure, while shame, stigma, and fear of community judgement further limited them from seeking help. Perpetrators often exploited these fears, including threats of police involvement or child removal to maintain control of victims and their children.

The research also highlights systemic gaps in professional practice. Many housing providers and frontline services do not routinely ask about gambling when assessing tenants’ needs. Similarly, organisational risk assessment frameworks rarely prompt professionals to consider gambling harms and domestic abuse together.

To address these gaps, the research team produced a practical resource to support professionals in recognising, responding to, and referring victim-survivors to specialist support pathways and a podcast series aimed at raising awareness and supporting professionals working in this field. The resource is designed to support housing professionals to identify potential warning signs that gambling harms and domestic abuse may be occurring, such as unexplained rent arrears, repeated property repairs, missing possessions, unopened post, or tenants who appear increasingly anxious or withdrawn. It is also helpful for other frontline service providers and encourages practitioners to ask open, non-judgemental questions, listen actively, and maintain an open mind, while fostering an environment conducive to disclosure.

As one woman with lived experience reflected: “We shouldn’t be scared of asking someone how they ended up here, because you just never know. You might have that conversation with someone and be the trigger for them reaching out for other support.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed, support is available: Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

Mercy Denedois an associate professor in accounting at Durham University andLiz Rileyis head of research and evaluation at Bet Know More.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Change a vendor’s life.

Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and move forward.

You can also support online: Subscribe to the magazine or support our work with a monthly gift. Your support helps vendors earn, learn and thrive while strengthening our frontline services.

Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.