Analysts reveal that Scotland lags eight years behind the rest of the UK in providing gender-specific care to women grappling with gambling addiction. This disparity is concerning, given the increasing number of women affected by addiction, often overlooked due to the perception of gambling as a predominantly male activity.
Gendered Impact of Gambling Addiction:
Gambling addiction can affect women in ways similar to men, including the risk of job loss and homelessness. However, an additional concern is the potential loss of child custody due to an inability to provide care.
The Intersection of Gambling Addiction and Homelessness:
Startlingly, research underscores the link between gambling addiction and homelessness, with one in five homeless individuals in Scotland experiencing problem gambling, according to Simon Community Scotland. This highlights the urgent need for specialized services to address this issue.
Call for Women-Focused Gambling Addiction Services:
Simon Community Scotland is advocating for an expansion of women-focused gambling addiction services in Scotland. Lorraine McGrath, the charity’s CEO, emphasizes the undeniable connection between homelessness and gambling-related harm, which is more acute for women, who often experience hidden and severe harms more rapidly than men.
Gender-Targeted Marketing by Gambling Firms:
Experts have pointed out that gambling firms employ tactics to target women, such as placing social media ads on websites catering to new mothers and influencer advertising. Additionally, the industry has faced criticism for concentrating its marketing efforts in low-income areas, creating a concerning environment that may encourage harmful gambling habits among women near the poverty line.
A Call for Change:
McGrath highlights the urgent need for Scotland to catch up with the rest of the UK and the world in addressing the gender-specific aspects of gambling addiction. She advocates for elevating the voices of women with lived experiences and taking action to confront the systemic and societal drivers of gambling harms.
Scotland’s delay in providing gender-specific care for women dealing with gambling addiction is a critical issue. As the number of affected women continues to rise, there is an urgent need for tailored support services and a comprehensive approach to addressing the societal drivers that perpetuate this problem. Closing the gender-specific care gap is essential to help women regain control of their lives and protect the well-being of both individuals and families.