Australian researchers at the University of Adelaide and the Swinburne University of Technology recently released a study indicating females and males react to problem gambling differently. Reviewing data from two recent large gambling studies, the researchers compared how 580 male and 605 female slot machine players reacted to prolonged periods of losing.
Among a total of 338 male and female confirmed problem gamblers, the males were far more likely to vent their frustration with physical violence, reporting feelings of anger and striking the machine if it did not pay out as expected. The men also were rude to gaming venue staff and used “territorial stand-over tactics” to prevent other customers from attempting to use machines the problem gamblers claimed as their own.
The female problem gamblers reacted more emotionally and held their frustration internally. They were more likely to cry or show other signs of depression.
Both men and women problem gamblers were more likely than regular gamblers to ask a gaming venue for a loan. Also, the men more than women said they try to “conceal their presence in venues from family and friends.”
The researchers said they hope their findings will help gaming venue staff to better monitor gender-specific behavioral indicators, and be better equipped to intervene. For example, the researchers suggested monitoring regular female customers for any “noticeable decline in personal grooming” as a possible sign of increased problem gambling.
The results of the study were published in Springer’s Journal of Gambling Studies.
