Gambling

Pathological gambling is more predominant in men than in women. However, females show a disproportionately increasing rate of gambling, which may eventually decrease the gender gap. A number of studies have shown gender differences in gambling, including both behavioral and biological differences. These include:

• Male gamblers are more likely than female gamblers to report a longer duration of gambling. However, women develop problems with gambling more rapidly than men once they begin gambling. This phenomenon is described as "telescoping" and is also associated with alcohol and drug use problems.

• Women and men differ in the types of gambling they engage in and the location of their gambling. For example, women are more likely to report problems with nonstrategic gambling, such as casino slot machine gambling, while men report more problems with non-casino gambling, such as sports betting.

• High rates of depression and anxiety perceived to be caused by gambling are found for both genders. However, female gamblers are more likely than male gamblers to report anxiety and suicide attempts attributed to gambling.

• At-risk gambling in women may be associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms than in men.

• There appears to be a stronger association between nicotine dependence and gambling symptomatology in women compared to men.

• Gender differences in motivation to gamble are also apparent. Women more often report gambling as a means of escape from problems in their lives, while men who gamble may do so more often for the thrill or for ego enhancement.

What is Pathological Gambling?

A pattern of excessive and/or destructive gambling behavior. It is classified as an impulse control disorder. Pathological gambling has been shown to share features with substance use disorders. Similarities may include its features (e.g., urges/cravings, high rates in adolescence and young adults, and a “telescoping” phenomenon in women in which the time course between initial engagement and develop of a problem is foreshortened in women as compared to men), co-occurrence with substance abuse/dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, similar responses to behavioral and pharmacological treatments, and shared biological features such as genetics and neurobiology with other addictive behaviors. This has led some researchers to describe pathological gambling as a non-substance addiction.