Pandemic Leads to Increase in Females with Gambling Problems
In recent figures published by the National Gambling Helpline (GamCare), it shows a significant increase in the number of women seeking help for gambling addiction during the Covid pandemic. With land-based casinos and bingo halls closed, and sporting events cancelled or postponed, many have turned to gambling online, especially during the pandemic when the country was in lockdown.
Sharp Rise in Women Seeking Help
The figures from GamCare were shared with The Independent newspaper and show a rise in women contacting the service for help and advice for problem gambling. In 2019-2020, GameCare reported that 2,764 women called the helpline for advice, whereas in 2020 – 2021, that figure rose to 3,005.
Figures also show that from all the calls received by the helpline in 2020 – 2021, 23% of them came from women, whereas in 2018 – 2019, this figure was 19%.
Pandemic Gambling Problems
With the country in lockdown for many months, many turned to online gambling as a way to relieve stress, distract their mind, relieve boredom or connect with other people. For some, their gambling became out of control resulting in them seeking help for their problem. The manager of GamCare’s women’s programme, Marina Smith, told The Independent:
“This has created many more opportunities for women to gamble, and if you combine this with financial stresses of the past year – data shows women have been more likely to be furloughed in the pandemic as well as taking on more caring responsibilities. This creates a perfect storm for gambling. More time has been spent indoors where they can just pick the phone up and access gambling products.”
Ms Smith also highlighted the fact that gambling addiction is ‘hidden’, with no physical indications or signs, more so with women as gambling addiction is mostly viewed as something that mainly impacts only men. She continued:
“A lot of women have been separated from friend, family and colleagues during the pandemic and this can make recovery from gambling more difficult. Social support is extremely important for recovery from gambling. The societal expectations of women to be caregivers increases the shame and stigma for women gamblers.”
