1. Women, Gambling and Problem Gambling
Joanna Franklin NCGC II
HELPLINE
Based on report from Rachel A. Volberg, Ph.D.

2. Lifetime Gambling Participation

3. Gender Differences in Past Year Gambling

4. Social roles are important
Acceptability is as important as availability
Characteristics of gambling venues are important –women want:
Flexible hours
Local availability
Low price of participation
Clean, attractive locations
Physical safety
Availability of childcare

5. Women and Problem Gambling
Women have been largely invisible in problem gambling research
Most research based on samples of male pathological gamblers
Too few females included to determine if differences exist
Widespread assumption that what holds true for men will also hold true for women

6. The “Feminization” of Gambling and Problem Gambling
More women are gambling and developing problems than in the past
Service providers internationally are seeing more women seeking help
Feminization linked to increases in the availability of electronic gaming machines (EGDs)

7. Gambling Problems Among Women
In 1998, 35% of problem and pathological gamblers in the US general population were women
Gerstein et al, 1999
In states with large numbers of EGDs, the proportion of problem gamblers who are women is higher
In Montana, 51% of problem and pathological gamblers in 1998 were women
In Louisiana, 50% of problem and pathological gamblers in 1998 were women
In Oregon in 2000, 45% of problem and pathological gamblers were women
In Australia between 1991 and 1999, the proportion of problem gamblers in the general population who were women rose from 14% to 41%

8. Women Seeking Help
Women seeking help for gambling problems start gambling later in life than men
Women have more rapid progression into problems than men
Women seeking help are most likely to cite electronic gaming machines as their primary problem
Like men, women seeking help often have comorbid problems with alcohol and substance abuse as well as depression

9. Treating Women Problem Gamblers
Deficits in self-confidence and problem-solving skills are common among male and female problem gamblers (Borsoi & Toneatto, 2003)
Both male and female problem gamblers rely excessively on avoidant coping styles (Thomas & Moore, 2003)
Women do bring some gender-specific issues into treatment that must be addressed
Experiences of abuse
Care-giving demands
Emotional issues with autonomy and rebellion

10. Future Directions
Women represent a rapidly expanding segment of the online gambling population
Online gambling characterized by
Flexible hours
Local availability
Low price of participation
Clean, attractive location
Physical safety
Availability of childcare
Similar characteristics may lead to growing numbers of women experiencing difficulties with this new, very private form of gambling

11. www.ncpgambling.org Maryland Coalition on Problem Gambling:
Maryland Council on Problem Gambling
University of Maryland- Department of Psychiatry
Loyola College- Pastoral Counseling Department
Johns Hopkins University- Silvia Martins MD, PhD
Problem Gambling Helpline: 24/7 free and confidential referrals
With support from the Maryland Lottery and their vendors
Joanna Franklin Ms NCGC II