Gamstop reported that the number of women self-excluding from online gambling has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, with women now accounting for 31% of self-exclusions compared to 26% in March 2020.
Gamstop chief executive, Fiona Palmer, emphasized the significance of surpassing 50,000 registrations and highlighted the growing impact of online gambling addiction on women. She encouraged women who have registered with Gamstop to access the necessary support.
The National Gambling Treatment Service’s statistics also revealed an increase in the proportion of women receiving treatment for gambling addiction, rising from 19% in 2015/16 to nearly 25% in March 2020. Additionally, a higher percentage of this group faced problems related to online gambling, at 69% compared to 57% in 2015/16.
Gamcare, a national gambling support charity, found that the number of women reporting gambling problems is increasing at double the rate of men. However, only 1% of women who experience gambling-related harm reach out to the National Gambling Helpline. It is crucial to reduce the shame and stigma associated with seeking help for gambling-related issues among women.
GamCare collaborates with Gamstop to ensure that individuals self-excluding from online gambling can easily connect to specialist support and treatment services. This connection greatly improves the chances of sustaining a recovery from gambling harms.
