Gambling and Gender

Historically across the world, gambling has been held to be a predominantly male activity; nowadays, in many countries, it is increasingly being acknowledged as a mainstream pastime for women too. Although only minimal gendered gambling research has been conducted, gender differences seem likely not only in relation to gambling motivations and preferences but also in progressions to problem gambling and with help-seeking behaviors. Limited reasons for these gendered differences have been proposed. While this entry reviews gambling generally, it more specifically examines gambling and problematic gambling as they relate to gender.