A review of research into problem gambling amongst Australian women

Australia is known as a nation of gamblers, reflecting its relatively liberal gambling policies and cultural acceptance of gambling as a normalised leisure activity. However, electronic gaming machines (EGMs) are the major source of gambling problems for Australian women, and the focus of most related research. Research into women's EGM-related gambling behaviours, motivations, gambling problems, help-seeking, treatment and support therefore receives most emphasis in this review of Australian research into women's problem gambling. While participation rates and frequency of EGM gambling differ little between Australian women and men, research has found that their playing styles vary. Australian research into women's reasons for gambling has focused overwhelmingly on those with gambling problems. Female callers were just as likely as the males to gamble regularly on EGMs, but were less likely to gamble regularly on race or sports betting, again highlighting that EGMs are the major source of gambling problems for Australian women.