GambleAware report: More than a third of female problem gamblers from BAME background
New research highlights ‘affected others’ and relationship between age and susceptibility of gambling-related harm among women
More than a third of women potentially at-risk of developing a gambling addiction are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups (BAME), according to a new report commissioned by GambleAware.
The survey, carried out by YouGov, found that 20% of female gamblers with a problem gambling severity index (PGSI) score of 1+ and more than a third (35%) of women with a PGSI score of 8+ are from BAME backgrounds, compared to one in eight (12%) overall.
Overall, 10% of women surveyed scored one or higher on the PGSI index, lower than the proportion of men with a PGSI score of 1+ (17%).
This includes 6% who were classified as low-risk, 2% who were classified as moderate-risk and 2% who were classified as problem gamblers with a PGSI score in excess of eight.
Eight percent of women qualified as ‘affected others’, or those that have been negatively affected by someone else’s problem gambling.
The research cites an inter-relationship between an individual’s own gambling and experiencing issues related to other people’s gambling, with female problem gamblers more likely to identify as an affected other.
Overall, women (8%) were more likely than men (6%) to be classified as an affected other. In addition, women classifying as affected others were more likely to be from a BAME background.
The research claims there is a strong relationship between age and levels of gambling-related harm among women, with female gamblers likely to experience high levels of harm (a PGSI score of 8+) more likely to be younger.
Among female gamblers with a PGSI score of 1+, 16% reported having sought either treatment alone, or a combination of treatment, support and advice, to cut down on their gambling in the last 12 months. This was comparable to 17% of men who had sought treatment, support or advice.
Thirty-nine percent of female gamblers said they felt a “perceived stigma” about gambling harm, including feeling embarrassed or not wanting people to know about their gambling which prevented them from seeking help, compared to just over one in five (22%) male problem gamblers.
However, knowing that support and treatment would be confidential is particularly important for female problem gamblers, with one in five (20%) saying this would motivate them to seek help.
GambleAware CEO Marc Etches cited the need to address barriers that individuals encounter when accessing support and treatment for gambling-related harm and introducing flexibility in treatment.
“This research indicates that women, particularly in the capacity as an affected other, experience gambling harms in different ways to men and this report is an important first step in understanding those differences,” said Etches.