Addiction to poker machines seems to more prevalent among females across New Zealand and Australia, a new study finds. The study, conducted by Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre has found that women are more likely to become addicted to poker machines as they offer a form of escapism. One of the key points that the study highlights is that women are more likely to play poker machines as they are isolated games.
While you would think that women are more attracted to social games like bingo, this is not the case when they are looking for a way to escape the problems of everyday live. As such, they can bury their head in the sand and play poker machines. Men seem to opt for more social forms of gambling like casual bets with friends and playing traditional poker.
Of course, poker machines are meant to be a form of entertainment – not escapism – but it can be dangerous when players confuse the two. It seems that many women have done so, leading to a destructive path of problem gambling. The study has also found that women believe there is a stigma attached to being a problem gambler, that they would be viewed as bad mothers if they were to be found out.
As such, fewer women report their gambling problems and seek help for them.