From the Bingo Finder on Tuesday, February 9, 2010:
UK -- We’ve spoken about the dangers of gambling many times before, but a recent report in the Observer claims a new generation of women are becoming addicted to online gambling. What’s more, these women are not your typical gambling addicts. Whereas before, many would not venture into a casino or betting shop, it seems the growth of the online gaming industries has meant many can feed their addictions in total privacy – leading to a spiral of debt, deceit and destruction.
As we know, the demographics of female gamblers varies wildly to stereotypes, with the Gambling Commission stating the majority of female online gamblers are typically 25 to 34 years of age. The Internet boasts an estimated 2,000 gambling websites, and the number of players online growing from 7.2 per cent of adults to 10.2 per cent in June 2009. It is rumoured that some operators, in their clamour for profiteering from the boom of online gaming, have taken advantage of the fact that women feel safer gambling online than they do in a casino or other facility. Perhaps it is down to the idea of social stigma, but in the relatively faceless environments of some online gambling websites, this idea of social acceptability is at the back of many players minds.
With the number of gambling addicts estimated to be between 378,000 and 600,000, it seems secrecy is the key issue when it comes to finding, and helping, those with a gambling addiction. Moreover, statistics reveal that a growing cause for concern are single, stay at home mothers, who are often playing at many gambling sites whenever they can.
Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones from the National Problem Gaming Clinic notes that some women gamble online for up to 10 hours a day. “There are sites that are targeting women,” she says. Many gambling websites feature pink color schemes, gambling horoscopes, and male pin-ups. “Men usually gamble because they have large egos and are seeking power from winning in competitive games such as cards,” she says, “whereas the women have low self-esteem and feel a sense of empowerment when they gamble.”
But where exactly should the finger of blame be pointed? And is this even a fruitful effort, when faced with a growing number of cases of women becoming increasingly dependent on online gambling? Certainly some sites have introduced measures to help combat the gambling problems, including affiliations with recognised bodies like GamCare and Gambling Awareness. But is this enough?
With some bingo sites boasting around an 80% female market share, it seems natural to assume the rise of online bingo being inextricably linked to the rise in female gambling. And yet, it may well be that the rise of side games has unlocked certain doors in women that has led to statistics that show women migrating from the traditionally softer forms of gambling, such as bingo, to more high stakes games that are often incorporated at casinos.
For anyone concerned, it is important to identify the problem as soon as possible. According to the American problem gambling association NCPG the following factors are often clear warning signs that someone’s gaming behaviour is becoming more than a little bit of fun:
- Gambling longer than you had planned
- Often gambling until you spend your last dollar
- Thoughts of gambling cause you to lose sleep
- You use your income or savings to gamble while neglecting your bills
- You have made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling
- You have broken laws or considered breaking laws to finance your gambling
- You have borrowed money to gamble
- You have felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses
- You have felt remorse about gambling
- You have gambled to get money to meet financial obligations
It is no new problem for the gambling industry to deal with. But as the online bingo industry continues to grow, it must surely step up it’s game in promoting a safe and fun environment for it’s players. And at the same time, players should be made aware that sites like Wink Bingo and Foxy Bingo have certain tools that will help players identify whether or not they have crossed a line in terms of their gaming habits. And of course to keep in mind – no matter what, bingo should always remain fun.
