Online Gambling Increasing Among Women

March 22, 2008

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, or the NCPG, many people can gamble without any fear of problem coming from it. However, for a small percentage of the population, gambling and online gambling becomes a sickness and they cannot control it.

They say that about 2 million people fit the criteria for pathological gamblers. They also say that about another 4-6 million could be considered problem gamblers. Out of all of these groups of addicts and non addicts, women are the fastest growing group of compulsive gamblers.

With women having more buying power and the idea of gambling growing faster and faster, more women are gambling and becoming addicted. They have found that among those participating in online gambling, women are the largest group and much of this has to do with the fact that they can do it in their own homes.

Not many women are comfortable enough to walk into a casino by themselves and sit for hours playing a game. However, with online gambling they can do just that without being bothered by anyone. No one has to see them, and no one knows to what extent they are participating in the online gambling unless they choose to tell them.

Women usually gamble to escape the problems in their lives, and when they are at the height of their gambling addiction they find it difficult to focus wherever they are and their work productivity suffers as a result of it. Most women are considered “closet gamblers” in that they participate in online gambling and are usually addicted to something else as well – like sex, overeating or alcohol.




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