A Qualitative Exploration of Young Women’s Experiences of Gambling and Drinking

Despite rising numbers of women gambling, research tends to focus on men’s experiences and behaviours. There are parallels between gambling and drinking: engagement in both behaviours have risen over time amongst women; it is increasingly common to gamble and drink at home; and alcohol and gambling industries typically present ‘problematic’ engagement as an issue for a minority who fail to use products ‘responsibly’. Despite the harm caused by gambling, and its parallels to alcohol, it is rarely treated by policymakers as a public health issue. This project aimed to understand young women’s experiences of gambling in Britain and explore any connections between gambling and drinking. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 women aged 22 to 35 years who gambled at least once per week and drank alcohol. Data were analysed using thematic analysis methodology including the framework method and iterative categorisation. Many women began gambling in adolescence or early adulthood, facilitated by family members. Women’s narratives illustrated a range of motivations for gambling, including pleasure, socialising, to facilitate time for themselves, and also the influence of the gambling marketing and availability. Women discussed gambling and drinking regularly, from home and /or in public spaces. For some women, the availability of gambling and drinking in adjacent public spaces encouraged simultaneous engagement through environmental association. Drinking resulted in reduced inhibition, leading to more time and money spent on gambling. For those who gambled and drank alcohol frequently at home, the interconnection of both behaviours resulted in harm to finances, relationships, and wellbeing. Findings suggest that gambling is a normalised activity, embedded early in young women’s lives and influenced by gambling marketing and availability. Gambling and drinking share similar roles in women’s lives, including as facilitators for socialising, and creating time for oneself. When engaged in simultaneously, drinking and gambling can form a negative cycle for some women which can result in wider harms.