Skip content?
Support in Great Britain 24/7

Improving Outcomes Fund Learning and Evaluation Report

Author: Jessica Weir, Lily Meisner, Brendan McGowan Published: January 2026

Summary

This report evaluates the Improving Outcomes Fund which supports community-led, culturally responsive projects to reduce gambling harms among women and minority ethnic and religious communities. It also provides recommendations for future commissioners and the wider gambling system.

Topics covered

  • Drivers of gambling harm inequalities
  • Barriers to recognising harm and support
  • Community-led, culturally responsive interventions
  • Lived experience and trauma-informed trust
  • Structural factors shaping sustainability and integration

Key findings

  • Gambling harms for women and minority ethnic and religious communities are driven by stigma, inequality, financial pressure and easy access to gambling.
  • Many face barriers to support due to mistrust, low awareness and a lack of culturally and gender-appropriate services. Projects reduce these barriers by embedding gambling support within trusted community spaces and wider services.
  • Community-led trauma informed approaches, centering lived experience are essential for building trust and engagement.
  • Short-term funding and unestablished referral pathways limit the sustainability and wider impact of projects.

An executive summary document for this report is also available using the link below.

 

Download Executive Summary
Is this page useful?

Get free, confidential support in Great Britain whenever you need it.

However you’re feeling right now, we’re here to help.

Call or chat online to an adviser, and speak one-to-one for confidential advice, information and support.

These support services are available only to Great Britain residents.