GambleAware says UK cost-of-living crisis ‘to prompt increase in harmful gambling among women’

GambleAware says UK cost-of-living crisis ‘to prompt increase in harmful gambling among women’

Article brief provided by The Independent
  • Emily Atkinson, The Independent
September 22, 2022 10:37 PM
  • Emily Atkinson, The Independent

The cost of living crisis is expected to spark an increase in harmful gambling among women as they scramble to supplement their income, a charity has cautioned.

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According to a survey by GambleAware, nearly one in four women (24 per cent) aged 18-49 who gamble are expected to do so more in the coming months due to soaring domestic costs, with 12 per cent already turning to gambling to boost their household income.

It also noted that a fifth of women (21 per cent) are also already experiencing health challenges, including stress and anxiety, due to gambling, a survey for the charity suggests.

The winter months often prompt already a spike in traffic to gambling websites among women, but the charity fears this will increase due to the concurrent cost of living squeeze.