Women Log On To 'Dangerous' Gaming World
Increasing numbers of women in Scotland are turning to online gambling as a "coping mechanism" to block out failed personal relationships and depression, a new study claims.
The study, by an academic at the University of Dundee, also says easy access to gambling is likely to be a hidden cause of homelessness.
Women are being tempted online to enjoy the thrill of casino-type games such as roulette and blackjack by off-shore internet firms offering free practice sessions and personal chatrooms.
The online gambling market - worth £15 million in Britain last year - has tripled since 1997.
In the UK it is currently legal to gamble in an online casino, but illegal to run such companies from Britain.
The Gambling Act 2005, which takes effect in two years' time, will allow a new Gambling Regulator to impose indefinite fines on socially irresponsible operators who encourage promotions such as "happy hours" and "cash back when you lose your first bet".
Lesley McMahon, a research fellow in the school of town and regional planning at the University of Dundee, said women are keeping the problem secret because they believe they will be refused help from social services if the root cause of mortgage arrears or debts is revealed.
"With men, gambling is much more an 'ego thing' about status, and they like going into casinos where they can be seen playing.
"With women it tends to be hidden, and a shame issue. With online gambling women don't need to leave the house to gamble and this, coupled with the ease of getting credit cards, is leading to massive problems," Ms McMahon said.
"It is such a quick and easy thing to do - you just download the software, put in your credit card number and get your log-in and password. From then you can place bets, play the machines or take part in casino games."
Last month, a couple from Dundee were jailed for three months at Arbroath Sheriff Court after severely neglecting their four young children after becoming addicted to online gambling. One of the children aged seven, had to have all her teeth removed. Sheriff Norrie Stein described the conditions the children were living as "as bad as could be imagined".
Ms McMahon, a former casino croupier, said the problem was hidden in Scotland and not recorded in statistics because it was still a "no-go" area. She is calling for the government to launch a health education programme on gambling similar to that for domestic violence.
A spokesman from Gamblers Anonymous in Scotland said it was receiving an increasing number of calls from women in Scotland concerning the issue.
Chris Campbell, the depute director of the Scottish Council for Single Homeless, said: "As an umbrella organisation for homelessness, our members are well aware of the financial links to homelessness and clearly technological advances such as the internet and gambling can exacerbate this.
"We have invited Ms McMahon to our National Homelessness Conference in Scotland to be held in November."
A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, said: "The government recognises that a small number of people can develop problems through gambling and with technological advances this now includes online gambling."
The global online gambling market is now worth almost £827 million and has more than tripled in two years.
Online firms PartyGaming and Empire Online sell shares and are worth more than British Airways.
The activity is being promoted among young people as a way of paying off student loans. Last month, a student won $100,000 from Slotland.
