Gambling activities among women in Quebec have been on the rise since the pandemic began.
Women Increasingly Embracing Online Gambling
It seems that more women are diving into the world of gambling, particularly online, according to a study conducted by Kairouz, a professor at Concordia University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Although males still dominate the gambling scene, this shift in female participation is striking.
This study revealed that women are not only turning to gambling but are also more susceptible to its harmful effects. Women, it appears, gravitate towards games of chance, whereas men seem to prefer table games and poker.
In terms of specific games, women exhibit a preference for slot machines, scratch cards, or lottery tickets. This selection, Kairouz has found, often serves as a respite from the real world. In contrast, men seek a thrill from their gambling endeavors. It is worth noting that women tend to stick with lower stakes than their male counterparts.
The study by Kairouz is not the only one to scrutinize the gambling habits of men and women. Elizabeth Lapointe, the executive director of Maison Jean Lapointe, an addiction treatment and prevention center, argues that approximately 304,000 Canadians are currently at risk of developing a gambling addiction, with men representing twice as many cases as women.
However, Lapointe contends that women are less likely to seek help when facing gambling-related stress. This, she suggests, could be due to a sense of guilt and shame that is often associated with gambling among women, challenging traditional perceptions. It's typically men who are thought to keep their gambling habits private.
Kairouz has raised concerns that, despite the upsurge in female gambling, women continue to be underrepresented in studies on gambling addiction, which may provide a skewed view of the issue and the assistance offered to women suffering from problem gambling. She plans to delve deeper into the relationship between gender and gambling through a new data collection initiative running from April to September.
On a broader scale, research on gambling addiction often overlooks women and fails to consider culturally specific risk factors and behavioral preferences. This oversight highlights the need for studies that prioritize gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural background when examining gambling behaviors.
Given these insights, it is essential to adopt targeted interventions addressing mental health comorbidities, fund studies focusing on data equity, and collaborate with community networks to create safe reporting channels for women facing gambling-related harms. For country-specific insights, consult recent reports from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) or the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), emphasizing gender-responsive prevention strategies in their 2023–2025 frameworks.
- Women are increasingly venturing into online gambling, as revealed by a study conducted by Kairouz, a professor at Concordia University's Department of Sociology and Anthropology.
- Kairouz found that women prefer games like slots, scratch cards, or lottery tickets over table games and poker.
- Men are more likely to seek a thrill from their gambling endeavors, while women use these activities as a respite from the real world.
- The study by Kairouz suggests that women tend to bet on lower stakes than men.
- Despite the rise in female gambling, women continue to be underrepresented in studies on gambling addiction, according to Kairouz.
- Elizabeth Lapointe, the executive director of Maison Jean Lapointe, contends that women are less likely to seek help when facing gambling-related stress.
- According to Lapointe, it could be due to a sense of guilt and shame among women about their gambling habits.
- The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) have emphasized gender-responsive prevention strategies in their 2023–2025 frameworks.
- It is crucial to adopt targeted interventions addressing mental health comorbidities, fund studies focusing on data equity, and collaborate with community networks to create safe reporting channels for women facing gambling-related harms.
- Online gambling trends also extend to sports betting, making it essential to educate and protect women from the potential dangers associated with gambling and mental health issues.
