“Within South Asian culture, gambling has always been a taboo subject. If you are from a Muslim family it's even more unheard of. Just as with alcohol and drugs, it is prohibited in the Qur’an…The taboo of gambling within South Asian culture has meant my family still can’t get the support they need.”

“My first memory of gambling was popping into the local bookies on Grand National day aged 18 to lay an each-way bet for me and my mum…It was a man’s world, but I still recall the buzz of placing a potential winner and the desire to come back to collect my winnings after the race. It was like the die was cast.”

The UK lags behind the rest of Europe on gambling advertising regulation while other countries are limiting their impact. Kate Samuels examines approaches taken in three different countries and explores what the UK can learn to better protect vulnerable communities and reduce gambling-related harm.

Gambling harms thrive in plain sight, especially in less affluent communities like Govanhill. With bookmakers on every corner and addictive mechanics embedded in video games, the seeds of addiction are planted early, often in the lives of vulnerable young people. Eva O’Donovan unpacks the systemic exploitation and the hidden struggles of those caught in its grip, shedding light on the urgent need for change.

Two innovative initiatives are making strides in supporting vulnerable communities. From empowering the Roma community with resources on gambling harm to offering a safe digital space for women affected by gambling, these projects foster meaningful change.

“Relentless and insidious marketing tactics are drawing people into the grip of gambling addiction, with devastating impacts on vulnerable individuals. It's time to confront the unchecked spread of this harmful advertising."

“At 72, I’ve lived a life full of highs, lows, and resilience from overcoming gambling harm. I’m more than my struggles—I’m a traveler, a community advocate, and someone who’s found joy in unexpected places. This is my story of recovery and rediscovery.”

Community reporter, Jenny Jones, writes about the dark allure of gambling and its hidden costs to lives and communities. From what gambling harm is, to who is most susceptible and how gambling affects men and women.

Are you or a loved one struggling with gambling? There are plenty of support options out there who can help. We’ve listed them all, including how to contact them.

Last year we delivered community reporter training workshops with women who’ve experienced the negative impact of gambling. This is what happened when a group of women with lived experience of gambling harm worked collectively to drive change.

Alison JC Brown takes us on a vivid journey through Queen’s Park, where the thawing winter reveals a bustling world of birdsong, territorial dramas, and nesting waterfowl. From robins' melodies to the fierce devotion of coots, every corner of this Southside gem teems with life and wonder.

For those of us far from our ancestral homelands, connecting to heritage is an act of resilience, joy, and community. This piece explores Sadia Sikandar connection to food, the role it plays in preserving Pakistani culture, and how the culinary traditions of the Kashmiri region bring people together with this Celebratory Kashmiri Biryani.

Am fost odată la o ședință care a fost ținută pentru a discuta problemele ce afectează comunitatea de Rromi. Eu am fost singura persoană de etnie Romă în acea încăpere.

Raz som sa zúčastnil stretnutia, ktoré sa konalo s cieľom prediskutovať otázky týkajúce sa Rómskej komunity. Bol som jediný Róm v miestnosti. Organizácie hovorili o nás alebo za nás, ale nie s nami. Vtedy sme si uvedomili, že pri práci, ktorú robíme, musíme zvoliť iný prístup.

In Issue 1 of Greater Govanhill magazine, Marek Balog wrote about the new initiative by local organisation, Community Renewal to make sure that Roma people are at the heart of decision making when it comes to their community.

Did you know that psychedelic psychiatrist RD Laing grew up in Govanhill? Or that John Buchan, author of the 39 Steps lived right around the corner? Have you noticed the there’s not one, but two libraries in Govanhill? In Issue 1, Keir Hind took us on a tour of Govanhill’s literary sights.

Originally published in Issue 1 of Greater Govanhill community magazine, this is the first of a series where we get to know the people behind the portraits by Govanhill street photographer, Simon Murphy. First up is psychedelic artist, Alan Tanner who spoke about Dali, dragonflies and drawing.

There’s nothing quite like your grandmother’s cooking to transport you to a more familiar setting. In this series, we ask Govanhill locals to share a recipe reminiscent of their homeland, starting with this traditional dish from Transylvania.

Published in Issue 1 of Greater Govanhill, this poem was written as part of the Govanhill Queer Community Banner Project which set out to celebrate the queer community in and around the Southside of Glasgow.

Now 88 years old, former journalist Arthur Oliver was born and brought up in Govanhill, living in Jamieson Street and latterly in Carfin Street until the age of 28. In this first of a series of reflections, he gives an outline of what life was like living in Govanhill in the 1930s.