Historically, only men use to gamble however, with the changing world and since it has been legalized, women have started to participate. Nonetheless, there are some researches suggesting that there is a very prominent different or we can say a divide between the play patterns of women and men. Below, we have listed some significant differences.
Progression of Problem
The women tend to start gambling at a later age as compared to men. The progression of the gambling problem is much slower in men whereas it is very fast in women. According to Tavares et al, study the average gambling onset for women is 34.2 and for men is 20.4.
Motivation for Gambling
One major difference between men and women regarding gambling is the reason behind gambling. Men do gambling for the sake of excitement and thrill it offers. It makes them feel better than others on the contrary, women do gambling to get away from their unsatisfied and stressful lives. Thus, men are included to play games such as track betting or table games, whereas women prefer casino slots or bingo games.
Treatment Representation
According to different studies women are underrepresented in treatment because women make up only two to seven percent of the gamblers community.
Risk Taking Behaviors
Doing gambling can lead to numerous gambling issues. There is a difference how men and women face or overcome these problems. Martins et al (2004) has identified the few difference
- Women do not abuse alcohol whereas men do
- Women have high risk of attempting a suicide as compared to men
- Women do not have a very sexual risky behavior whereas men do.
There are many other researches that confirm the men who are facing gambling problems are going to abuse alcohol and female. Women on the other hand are going to take extra dosage of the prescribed medication.
Cheating
According to Abbot -2002 men are more likely to commit gambling related crimes where as women do not prefer to cheat. They prefer to have a safe and clean game.
Relationship Issues
Studies have shown that men are not much supportive towards their women who are going through gambling problem, but women on the contrary are supportive towards their counterparts. Women try to help them out and get over their gambling problem.
Social Circle
Men do gambling because they enjoy it, but most of the women do gambling either because they are depressed or due to their social circle, thus making it difficult for them to leave gambling despite all the troubles they are facing.
Trauma
Women who have experienced any sort of trauma at some point in their life face gambling problems, whereas most men do not have gambling problem due to this very reason.
