Women gambling trends

by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker
Nov 25, 2006
 

Women gambling trends

It has been estimated that approximately half of compulsive gamblers are now women. This high participation of women in gambling has grown noticeably with the arrival of online gambling, the proliferation of casinos and electronic online gaming machines. Furthermore, there is no longer any stigma attached to women gambling in public venues. This has predictably given rise to the phenomenon of the habitual woman gambler. This feminization of gambling means a rising number of women gamblers are shedding their inhibitions to take part in “convenience gambling.” This term refers to neighborhood casinos, pubs, and slot machines.

Psychological aspect

This upward trend in women gambling has been largely attributed to women seeking gambling as an exciting diversion from personal problems. For a majority of women gambling is a psychological escape route from negative mood disorders. Women view gambling as a convenient method of reasserting control over their lives. This psychological aspect of gambling for women makes it difficult for women to decisively break the gambling habit. Just a glance at the figures summarizes the huge shift in women’s gambling habits. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, women gamblers increased from a mere 22% in 1975 to a staggering 82% in 1998.

Face financial ruin

Addictive gambling by women has created a public policy crisis because women also tend to incur massive financial losses. It is equally difficult for women to recover from financial ruin, and they may still not be able to shed the gambling habit. This dangerous streak of gambling has given rise to a high percentage of women filing personal bankruptcy claims. The paradox is that studies indicate women rarely gamble for financial gain. In view of this central fact, women courting critical financial losses becomes an anomaly.

Women gamblers are increasing

There are efforts afoot to educate women to desist from risky gambling. However, what effects this “cease from gambling” campaign is having is difficult to gauge. With more gambling outlets, women are actually a very visible majority indulging in high stakes gambling. In fact, a disturbing trend that has emerged is that not only women under 45, but also women senior citizens are gambling in droves. How this upward trend can be stemmed or partially reversed is now a pertinent public issue that is being openly debated. In the meantime, women are betting in massive numbers.

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