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Keywords

Gambling; Women; Gender roles; Public Health; Behavior patterns

Disciplines

Family, Life Course, and Society | Gaming and Casino Operations Management | Gender and Sexuality | Medicine and Health

Document Type

Original Review Article (Essays, Opinion Pieces, and/or Book Reviews)

Abstract

Gambling is increasingly recognized as a complex public health issue with wide-ranging implications for individuals, families, and communities. While traditionally male-dominated, recent shifts reveal a growing participation among women, facilitated by gender-specific gambling products, targeted marketing, and evolving societal norms. This paper critically examines the prevalence, motivations, and harms associated with gambling among women, drawing on theoretical perspectives such as social capital theory, cultural geography, and gender role theory. By synthesizing existing literature, this review highlights distinct gendered patterns in gambling behaviors, including the use of gambling as a coping mechanism for stress, isolation, and caregiving burdens, and the role of gendered spaces and marketing strategies in shaping women’s engagement. While much of the literature focuses on risks and harms, gaps remain in understanding protective factors, intersectional influences, and the implications of emerging gambling formats such as cryptocurrency betting and gamified platforms. The article provides a foundation for advancing public health strategies and fostering a more comprehensive understanding of women’s gambling behaviors and their broader societal implications.

Funding Sources

The author declare that no funding was received for the preparation, authorship, or publication of this review paper.

Competing Interests

The author declare no financial or non-financial competing interests related to this review paper or its subject matter.

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