GambleAware commissioned a consortium of IFF Research, the University of Bristol and GamCare’s Women’s Programme to examine why women in Britain take part in different types of gambling, the effect this has on them and their lives, and their experience of treatment and support services. The research involved an initial assessment of the literature. Then the researchers set out to capture the views of women who gamble, women as affected others, and experts in the field. This was done through depth interviews, focus groups, workshops and online communities, and analysing GambleAware’s Treatment and Support Survey (2021).
The findings are categorized across five topics:
- The role of gambling in women’s lives
- Drivers of gambling and risk factors for harmful gambling
- What gambling harms look and feel like for women
- How gambling harms might be prevented or reduced among women
- Common journeys for women who gamble and affected others
Recommendations include:
- Normalizing and embedding gambling harms prevention, treatment, and support in everyday life
- Talking more openly about gambling harm
- Using language that is relatable and non-judgemental
- Leveraging lived experience and join up information and support services
