Research themes

GOAL conducts research to deepen our understanding of gambling, its socio-economic drivers, and its wider societal consequences. It focuses on five broad themes:

A variety of sports equipment including balls, helmets, gloves, shoes, and a tennis racket arranged on a dark background.

Gambling and sport

We examine the role of gambling in sports, from fans and grassroots up to elite level sport. Research includes socio-cultural influences on gambling and sport, sporting integrity and gambling, gambling treatment and support in sports, and the economics of gambling in sport.

Illustration of a central set of scales of justice surrounded by icons of legal symbols, including a law book, gavel, prison bars, coins, keys, a scroll, and a briefcase.

Gambling, crime and justice

Our research examines the relationship between gambling and crime across criminal justice pathways, including offending, gambling in prison, illegal and unregulated markets, prevention, rehabilitation and justice reform.

A stylised profile of a human head constructed from colourful puzzle pieces and mechanical, gambling-related icons against a dark blue background.

Treatment, recovery and suicide prevention

We work with treatment and health services to improve understanding of screening, referral, treatment and recovery pathways. Our research also examines gambling-related suicide, prevention, postvention and how evidence can be translated into professional practice.

A digital collage of technology icons including a VR headset, smartphone, drone, satellite, server rack, processors, and security credentials.

Product design, environments and emerging technologies

We investigate how product design, gamification and changing digital environments (e.g. smartphones) shape gambling behaviour and harm. This includes gambling-like features in gaming and the use of technologies such as virtual reality to study gambling behaviour and develop interventions.

Graphic of stylised human figures standing on uneven stacks of coins, representing wealth inequality, with dice and mathematical inequality symbols.

Gambling, inequalities and populations at greater risk

We investigate gambling-related harm among populations and in circumstances where risks and impacts may be greater, including women, those who are older, younger, neurodivergent, using mental health and substance use services, experiencing homelessness or affected by socio-economic disadvantage.