Montell Senior 
Compared to other gamblers, women gamblers are more likely to experience co-occurring problems and perceived harms, such as problems with self-esteem and avoiding gambling because of its inconvenience. In addition, women gamblers are less likely to engage in gambling for enjoyment and to seek help for gambling problems than men.
Horse betting
Among women gamblers, horse betting is the most popular gambling activity. In 2010, the British Gambling Prevalence Survey estimated the prevalence of horse race betting at 16.3%.
The study’s main aim was to investigate the correlations between self-reported gambling information and actual gambling behavior. It included an examination of the underlying motivations for gambling. The motivation factors were assessed using a questionnaire – the Reasons for Gambling Questionnaire (RGQ). The results showed that the RGQ can be used to predict gambling behavior. The questionnaire was used with a sample of Norwegian horse bettors.
The results showed that betting frequency, amount of money bet, and number of bets were predicted by the gambling motivation statements. Gambling for recreation was the most highly correlated with self-reported problem gambling. The second factor was related to social motivation to gamble.
Casino gambling
Compared to men, women tend to have different casino gambling habits. They prefer to play games with friends, rather than by themselves. They tend to prefer specialty games, such as Keno and Bingo. They are more likely to engage in sports betting. They also tend to lose more money.
Several factors influence women’s casino gambling habits. Some of these factors are gender-related, while others are environmental. The majority of women who engage in casino gambling are under 35 years of age.
Older women tend to spend more money on gambling products. They are also more likely to experience social isolation and physical health problems. This may explain why they are at higher risk of gambling problems.
Female lead characters in gambling dramas often portray women as atypical gamblers. They play on a hunch and have no concept of the risks involved.
Co-occurring problems
Despite the fact that GD and substance use are both widely recognized as problematic, there is very little research on the gendered nature of these two behavioural issues. This study aims to fill that gap, by examining the relationship between GD and co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
Gambling and substance use often co-occur, for different reasons. People use gambling as a means to escape anxiety and stress. They may also play to avoid boredom, loneliness or trauma. They may need to win money to pay for financial problems.
Problem gambling is associated with co-morbid psychiatric disorders. For example, alcohol use is more prevalent in problematic gamblers.
Identifying problem gamblers who also drink may help reduce problem gambling behaviour. However, targeting treatment at those who also gamble may not be as effective as targeting problem gamblers who do not drink.
Avoiding GA because it’s inconvenient
Increasing numbers of women report having gambling problems. In many cases, they may also have co-morbid conditions such as depression or substance misuse. These conditions may make seeking help particularly difficult. There are several types of help available for gambling problems, including Gamblers Anonymous (GA), GamAnon, and self-exclusion programs. Fortunately, there are also several online resources. However, little is known about the specifics of women’s experiences in GA.
Although there are several studies that have looked at the proportion of women in GA, only a few looked at the actual percentage of women who attend. In these studies, women were recruited from GA as a control group and compared with participants who were recruited for other reasons.
The results of these studies provide data about the proportion of women in various GA groups in North America and the UK. While the majority of relevant studies have been conducted in North America, there are also several studies from the UK that have investigated women’s experiences.
Perceived harms
During the past five years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women seeking treatment for gambling problems. However, little research has been carried out to explore women’s perceptions of gambling harm. These perceptions may influence their engagement with gambling products and services.
The GambleAware consortium commissioned a research team from the University of Bristol to investigate how gambling harms are perceived by women. They surveyed a convenience sample of 509 women in Australia. The participants were asked a series of socio-demographic questions about gambling behaviour. They were then asked to rate the harms of different gambling products and services.
The study found that women’s perceptions of gambling harms differed by age. Younger women tended to perceive a greater degree of harm from gambling products than older women. They also tended to report higher levels of stigma and shame, and less help-seeking behaviour.
