Women Dealing With Increased Problem Gambling In Australia

A new study has been released that shows that women in Australia may have a more difficult time with their gambling problems than men. The study also shows that there is an increase in gambling in the country, fueled by both genders.

University of Queensland School of Tourism Researcher. Dr. Timothy Lee, has completed research that shows that one third of problem gamblers are women. The report also indicated that sixty-four percent of slot machine gamblers in Australia are women.

"The female problem gambler is usually withdrawn, socially isolated and is suffering from extreme feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem," said Dr. Lee. He believes that these feelings lead women to gamble as a means to escape.

The reasons for problem gambling are similar in both men and women. Dr. Lee explains that the stresses of family life often lead people down a road of gambling. He also gave ways for Australia lawmakers and casinos to help combat gambling addiction.

One method, which is used in various states in the US, is to keep ATM machines off of gambling floors. When the machines have been placed outside, away from the gambling floor, data indicates that the gamblers are less likely to go back to the machines when they are out of cash.

Another suggestion was to allow for clocks in the casinos. Without clocks, gamblers often lose track of time and spend more time than they had planned on the machines. The idea may be met with resistance from casino owners who have long used the absence of clocks to their advantage.

February 22, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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