GamCare: Women and Gambling Programme

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Published date: 
Monday, 30th September 2019

GamCare is a national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. 

From April 2013-2018 its National Gambling Helpline has seen an increase in women callers:

  • 68% increase of women who are gamblers; 
  • 72% increase of women who are affected others.

Using GamCare and Gambling Commission data, it estimates only 1% of women who experience gambling related harm contact the National Gambling Helpline.

GamCare recently secured funding from the Tampon Tax Fund, to deliver a nationwide programme to build awareness of problem gambling and support options within the wider support sectors for women and girls.  

Even taking into account the increase in calls shown above, in its experience, women are far less likely to contact its helpline than men. This is not surprising due to the perception that problem gambling is mostly a ‘male issue’. Women are also disproportionately negatively impacted by gambling related harm from someone else’s gambling e.g. significant safeguarding issues, harm to finances and relationships, impacts on mental health and wellbeing; despite this, they still don’t come forward. 

Women and Gambling

Whilst not exclusively the case, our experience tells us women tend to be more likely to gamble on fruit/slot machines and online. The availability of online gambling on mobile phones can fit around a woman’s busy life and is easily hidden. Feelings of shame about gambling problems also hold people back from talking about the issue. This hidden nature of the problem means it can become increasing isolating and harmful over time.

GamCare have some knowledge and research around women and problem gambling, but GamCare wants to know more. So, at GamCare it is launching a service that is entirely focused on supporting women to encourage them speak out about problem gambling.

What can you do to help?

Could women coming into contact with your service be affected by a gambling problem? 

Are women you see affected by:

  • debt
  • relationship difficulties
  • housing issues
  • depression and anxiety
  • feelings of isolation or suicidality

If they are, there is a chance these issues could be the result of a gambling problem – whether their own or someone else’s. Trying to sort out the symptoms without looking at the root cause may mean the individual never fully recovers. 

As an organisation you can take some simple steps to skill yourselves in the topic of gambling related harm. One step would be to familiarise yourself with the issue and the signs and symptoms of a problem, and to remember to ask the question about gambling where you think it might be playing a role.  We can help you to get this right.

GamCare work across England, Scotland and Wales delivering free advice, support and training that can be catered to your service and flexible based on staff skills/availability.  GamCare can offer:

  • Free suite of resources for staff and women/girlsin your service affected by problem gambling;
  • Free face-to-face training packageswith an aim of upskilling staff around early identification, advice, signposting and referral;
  • Free Treatment to women affected by problem gambling;
  • A single point of contactfor ongoing support and advice.

By working together, we can reduce gambling related harm experienced by women and increase access into our fully funded and free treatment services across a variety of locations in Great Britain.

For more information about the programme please contact 

Nadine Ashworth, Women’s Outreach Officer North West: Women’s Programme

Mobile 07307610070 Email: nadine.ashworth@gamcare.org.uk