When gambling previously a male-dominated area, this activity has recently seduced the female clan. The rise of online gambling with campaigns and advertisements to especially lure women is one of the factors to influence their intentions. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has also caused a huge surge in demand for female gambling.
Women self excluding
Despite a stigma related to a gambling woman, the number of females with a gambling addiction is on the rise. According to GamStop, more than 55,000 women have self-excluded from gambling websites through this national self-exclusion scheme. Compared to 26% in March 2020, the women represent 31% of self-prohibition mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Women Compulsive Gambling on the Rise Amid the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is the reason to trigger gambling addiction in women. They are feeling trapped, anxious, depressed, and defeated by families or loneliness. The increase of mental health issues is a risk factor for problem gambling. With the anxiety and stress, they started to gamble since they find it as self-medication. The results of their gambling have always ruined their finances and mental health.
Unfortunately, the fear of being judged for more than compulsive gambling is their blockage. They are afraid to be viewed as drunk or drug-addicted so they do not call for help or register at a self-exclusion scheme like GamStop. Lisa Walker, a gambling counsel and former gambling addict affirmed that there is a big stigma related to gambling. These women who register at online casinos not on GamStop from this list are ashamed to talk about their addiction as it is often seen as a men’s issue. That is the reason why they must be aware of the impact of gambling addiction and should sign-up at a self-ban scheme like GamStop. These women should seek help and benefit from suitable treatment and support.
Female Gambling Addicts Outnumber Men
GamCare reported that the number of women who face gambling problems is rising at twice the rate of men but only 1% of them contact the National Gambling Helpline. According to Anna Hemmings, GamCare Chief Executive Officer, addressing the unnecessary shame and stigma that women feel when asking for help with gambling is compulsory. She added that GamCare's dedicated Women’s Programme allows people to remove barriers for women to access help with gambling-related harms.
The charity organism GameCare is pleased to work with GamStop so people register at this self-exclusion programme will be able to quickly interact with special support and treatment services. This policy will surely increase their chance of sustaining recovery from gambling problems. GamStop, CamCare, and GamBan have joined forces to help and support people suffering from gambling problems by permitting gamblers to register at the self-exclusion programme available in the UK.
GamStop exceeds 50,000 female registrants
Since the release of GamStop in 2018, the number of players who register at this self-prohibition has shown an increase. Concerning the female affiliates, the National Gambling Treatment Service launched statistics which has shown a rise of women receiving treatment. This increasing portion of females receiving support is up to 19% in 2015/16 to nearly 25% at the end of March 2020. Nonetheless, the group who has never experienced gambling-related issues represents a larger portion with more than 57% in 2015/16 and 69% in 2020.
As stated by Fiona Palmer, GamStop CEO, feeding back to the various gambling support organisms and working together is paramount to encourage the female gamblers who have registered with GamStop to access the help they may need going forward. As 50,000 women members mean a significant number, GamStop is very pleased that these female registrants found this self-exclusion scheme a useful practical tool to help them with their gambling problems.