Gambling Addiction Amongst Women Is On the Rise
As online gambling has surged in popularity, some experts warn that the US could be on the brink of another addiction crisis – one that could rival the epidemics driven by tobacco and opioids. While much of the research on gambling addiction is focused on young men, as they make up the majority of…
As online gambling has surged in popularity, some experts warn that the US could be on the brink of another addiction crisis – one that could rival the epidemics driven by tobacco and opioids. While much of the research on gambling addiction is focused on young men, as they make up the majority of gambling addicts, there’s also been a significant increase in the number of women suffering from problem gambling behaviors. Gambling Addiction Among Women Is Rising According to a recent Bloomberg Law analysis, women accounted for roughly one-quarter of bankruptcy filings last year that named some of the nation’s largest online sportsbooks as creditors. In a separate study by the American Gaming Association, women accounted for 35% of online sports bettors, up from 26% in 2022. Gambling participation rates among men and women are now nearly identical, some experts say. Research also suggests that women who begin gambling later in life may progress to problem gambling more quickly than men, which is a pattern often referred to as the “telescoping effect.” The profile of women seeking treatment is also changing, according to therapists. The traditional stereotype is an older woman spending hours at casino slot machines or bingo tables, or regularly buying lottery tickets. But Jennifer Levitt, a Philadelphia-area therapist who specializes in gambling addiction, said in an interview for Axios that she is increasingly treating career women, new mothers and younger women who don’t fit that mold. Women now make up about one-third of her clients, a sharp increase from just a few years ago. Her patients include CEOs, lawyers and fellow therapists. She explained that some women are drawn to strategy-based games such as poker and blackjack, challenging another common assumption that women tend to favor more “passive” forms of gambling. Pennsylvania Sees a Surge in Gambling Addiction Among Women The number of women with gambling problems in the US is rising, and many of them have great difficulty finding help. However, Pennsylvania seems to be hit even harder. Among women calling Pennsylvania’s problem gambling hotline, those ages 45 to 54 accounted for the highest number of calls, according to data from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania. Women are also increasingly reporting problems with online slots rather than traditional casino slot machines, reflecting a broader shift toward gambling online, says Josh Ercole, the council’s executive director. Gambling companies are also finding new ways to attract potential customers. Ercole says prediction markets can draw people in by allowing them to wager on topics they already follow and care about. In a recent lawsuit filed in Philadelphia against FanDuel and DraftKings, the plaintiffs allege that the sportsbooks use microbets, promotions, push notifications, and VIP perks to encourage people with gambling addictions to keep playing. One of those perks allegedly included a personalized video message from Phillies star Bryce Harper, who has said he was unaware of how the video would be used.