by Renee Israel
A report commissioned by the National Centre for Social Research to the
Commons culture select committee has shown that the number of women in the UK
who partake in gambling games has grown significantly over the past decade.
The report found that the proportion of women in the UK who gamble - other
than on the National Lottery - has grown by a third to more than half the female
population, the most popular games being scratch cards, slot machines followed
by online casino and bingo sites.
"We see more women and older people becoming involved with gambling and
increase in the proportion of people who gamble regularly," noted the
researchers.
According to the report, which quoted the British Gambling Prevalence Survey
of 2010, although men are more likely to wager than women, that gap is now
narrowing.
Other interesting facts about UK women gamblers' rising numbers
include:
- Of those women who were questioned for the survey, 33% had taken part in
some form of gambling in the previous week, (compared to 38% of men).
- 0.3% of women are deemed problem gamblers, a minute rise from 0.2% in
1999. The Daily Mail has pointed out that a London based addiction
center is offering child minding services so that mothers can attend its
treatment courses.
- The most frequent gamblers among the female population are women aged
between 45 and 65.
- Women are more likely to play the game of bingo than men are. This can
clearly be seen through the online bingo sites offered on the internet,
which are geared more towards women.
- The number of women who play slot machines has grown from 8% to 10%.
Older UK Population Enjoys More Gambling
Another population group noted in the report was the over 75
group, known as the 'grey gamblers'. It was shown that the number of gamblers in
this division has also grown significantly.
The report noted the growing number of pensioners, particularly
widows, who have taken up gambling pastimes in the past decade.
"Estimates among those aged 75 and over increased from 52% in
1999 to 63% in 2010," read the report.
