New study finds that one in ten women suffer harm from stress and anxiety as a result of addiction to online gambling.
Research from GambleAware, the gambling charity, has found that up to one million women are at risk of harm from gambling – with women much more likely than men to say that gambling has caused them mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety.
While the majority of gambling addicts are male, the number of women seeking treatment for gambling addiction has doubled in the past five years, rising from 1,134 in 2015-16 to 2,423 in 2021-21. However, these figures are just the tip of the iceberg, say experts, with 40 per cent of women experiencing harm from gambling saying they may not seek help or treatment due to stigma or shame.
The rise of gambling among women is attributed to the easy availability of casino games and betting on smartphones, rather than women going into traditionally male-dominated environments such as betting shops. The study found that traffic to gambling websites which tend to be popular with women – such as online bingo sites – peaks during the winter months, with average traffic between December and March increasing by 29 per cent, compared to the rest of the year.
Although men were twice as likely as women to be classified as “problem” gamblers, women were more likely to say their gambling has caused mental health issues, such as increased stress and anxiety from financial difficulties, guilt and shame.
“Being women who gamble, we do sometimes face a unique stigma – especially in this day and age when you’re expected to do it all,” Jemima told GambleAware. “It’s incredibly helpful to see more and more women coming forward to share their stories, and I hope it will empower others to do the same.”
GambleAware has launched a new harms prevention campaign, specifically aimed at women, to engage women around warning signs and where to seek support before gambling becomes harmful. It says there are three key warning signs to look out for in someone who may experience harm from gambling: losing track of time; spending more than a person can afford; and keeping gambling a secret from friends and family.
“Our research shows women may not be aware they are starting to experience harm from gambling or, may be worried about reaching out for support due to stigma or shame,” said Zoe Osmond, chief executive of GambleAware. “That’s why our campaign highlights the warning signs to look out for, so we can support women who gamble and prevent them from developing gambling harms.”
The government is expected to publish new proposals to tighten up gambling regulations in the next few months.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can find sources of support on this website.
If you are concerned about your gambling or that of a loved one, visit BeGambleAware.org for confidential advice and support or call The National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week).
