There is a growing concern regarding gambling-related harm among women due to the cost of living increasing.
Playing online casino games has been a form of entertainment for years for many players across the globe.
With the current increase in living costs, gambling has become a concern as people turn to online casinos to try and supplement their income . The increase has particularly affected women.
The statistics
According to the gambling harm charity, GambleAware , research indicates that one in every four women aged between 18 and 49 is expected to increase their gambling spending .
One of the reasons for the research is the campaign to fight against the stigma women may face while seeking problem gambling support. The research done by the insight agency Opinium took place in mid-August with a survey conducted of 1,606 women in the 18-49 age group.
According to research, there is an expectancy that 24% of women will increase their gambling habits in the face of the rising cost of living. The study has also revealed that 38% had spent more money on gambling than they intended, while a further 21% were chasing funds they lost.
The research assessed all participants according to the problem gambling severity index (PGSI). And among these women, nearly half of the participants said they were trying to win money in online casinos to assist with the rising costs. A further 32% said they expect to win money to help address their financial issues.
Then there are the participants who revealed that gambling caused various health problems, including stress and anxiety.
A growing concern
While the research was primarily focused on female gaming participants, it’s important not to lose sight of the main topic.
The biggest issue is the increase in gambling due to a rise in inflation and living costs. No matter the gender, players are continuously increasing their gaming in hopes of receiving payouts that could cover their needs.
As such, there is a growing concern that the possibility of gambling harm will increase over the next few months. The increase in gambling is already a warning sign that should not be ignored.
With financial troubles growing daily, the number of women gambling online has only increased. There are also increased dangers for women as the majority will avoid seeking help due to the stigma.
Responsible gambling first
The reality is that gambling harms have the potential to impact anyone, no matter the size of their bank account or life experience. Doing so can strain relationships and hurt work/life balance.
When these issues are not addressed properly, there is the danger of emotional, physical, and financial problems getting out of hand.
It’s important at this time to increase the focus on responsible gambling , implement the correct responsible gambling measures and focus on correcting the path of those who’ve already stumbled into the problem gambling arena.
It is possible to keep the industry dedicated to entertainment while preventing problem gambling among male and female gamblers.
As the cost of living and inflation continues to increase, online casinos need to focus more on attending to players who might have a gambling problem or are at risk of developing one.
Anyone who is concerned about their gambling habits or who might find themselves spending more time and funds online gambling should seek help. For free, confidential support, you can visit BeGambleAware.org or contact the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 .