When the Game Plays You: Uncovering the Hidden Costs of Gambling

Led by Dr Erin McEvoy from Ulster University

Gambling is often seen as a private issue, but its impact can quietly spill into our working lives. When the Game Plays You: Uncovering the Hidden Costs of Gambling in Our Working Lives will shine a light on how gambling can affect mental health, job performance, financial wellbeing, and workplace culture.

Through an engaging mix of short discussion, real-life insights, and interactive group activities, attendees will explore the “ripple effects” of gambling harm - from the individual, to colleagues, organisations, and wider society. By attending, you will gain a deeper understanding of how gambling addictions can influence everyday work environments and discover practical ways workplaces can respond with empathy, awareness, and support.

Who is it for?

This event is open to the public and especially suited for:

· Working professionals and managers interested in wellbeing and inclusion

· HR teams, trade union representatives, and student support officers

· Public health practitioners and researchers

· Anyone curious about how gambling affects lives beyond the bookmakers

What to expect?

· Clear insights from current research on gambling

· Interactive activities to uncover the hidden costs of gambling harm

· Practical discussion on what employers, colleagues, and communities can do differently

· A supportive space to reflect, share, and learn together

No prior knowledge is required - just an interest in understanding how gambling touches our working lives and what we can do to create healthier workplaces.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher ESRC Festival of Social Science in NI 2025