Gambling culture in elite female sports clubs in England
Session Title
Special Populations
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation
Start Date
26-5-2026 12:00 AM
Abstract
The study aimed to examine gambling culture in elite female sports clubs in England and explore how gambling is viewed and perceived by elite female athletes. 15 interviews were carried out with elite female athletes playing soccer (n=4), cricket (n=5) and rugby union (n=6). Thematic analysis was conducted and six major themes were identified: motives for gambling, normalisation of sports betting, opening up, education and support, gambling participation and gambling industry funding. Regarding main motives for gambling, interviewees believed female athletes might gamble due to their competitive nature as athletes or existing peer pressure in a club where a gambling culture exists. The analysis also revealed that gambling appeared to be a normalised activity for female athletes and that a gambling culture exists in female sports clubs. Although they believed gambling is more common in the men’s game, they are exposed to it everywhere in their lives, especially football betting and horse racing. They often have conversations around it, attend horse racing events together and are aware of gambling happening in other teams. They would face issues if they would open up about a gambling problem, with stigma around gambling, but being a female athlete making it even more challenging. Additionally, they believe there is need for education and support around the potential harms of gambling tailored for female athletes and not just around the corruption side of things.
Gambling culture in elite female sports clubs in England
The study aimed to examine gambling culture in elite female sports clubs in England and explore how gambling is viewed and perceived by elite female athletes. 15 interviews were carried out with elite female athletes playing soccer (n=4), cricket (n=5) and rugby union (n=6). Thematic analysis was conducted and six major themes were identified: motives for gambling, normalisation of sports betting, opening up, education and support, gambling participation and gambling industry funding. Regarding main motives for gambling, interviewees believed female athletes might gamble due to their competitive nature as athletes or existing peer pressure in a club where a gambling culture exists. The analysis also revealed that gambling appeared to be a normalised activity for female athletes and that a gambling culture exists in female sports clubs. Although they believed gambling is more common in the men’s game, they are exposed to it everywhere in their lives, especially football betting and horse racing. They often have conversations around it, attend horse racing events together and are aware of gambling happening in other teams. They would face issues if they would open up about a gambling problem, with stigma around gambling, but being a female athlete making it even more challenging. Additionally, they believe there is need for education and support around the potential harms of gambling tailored for female athletes and not just around the corruption side of things.