More women gamble to pay soaring bills

The Times
 
Wild Casino

The cost of living crisis has triggered a “worrying” surge in gambling by women turning to scratch cards and online bingo to try to make ends meet.

More than one in ten female gamblers between 18 and 49 were betting more in recent months, a study by the charity GambleAware found, while a further quarter said they intended to bet more to try to supplement their income.

One in five said their gambling was already causing them health problems, mostly stress and anxiety.

GambleAware has started a campaign targeting women to raise awareness of the support available for those who may be struggling. It encourages women and their loved ones to spot the early warning signs of a problem.