Recently, several studies have been commission to determine the effects of poker machines on the communities in which they are located. They have shone a great deal of light on the gambling industry in New Zealand and Australia, offering valuable insight into the ways in which people respond to the gambling industry.
A recent study by the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre has revealed information about the way in which women interact with poker machines. It has revealed that women are far more likely than men to develop problem gambling habits, using them as a form of escapism from the problems of everyday life.
One of the main reasons that women have turned to poker machines is that they are more interested in forms of gambling that require no social interaction. Males gravitate to more social games like poker and table games, while women want to isolate themselves.
The study also shows that women are more reluctant to confess their gambling problems, so a number of cases go unreported. According to researchers, women believe there is a severe stigma involved in becoming a problem gambling as a female. This stigma is likely to blame for the low number of women who seek help for their gambling addictions.
