ROMBET introduces you a new article from the RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING series

Responsible Gambling can also be applied to women

Most of the time, when we talk about gambling and people who choose this type of entertainment, we relate to players as being generally men and, consequently, they are also them who are confronted with the less pleasant effects of game addiction.
However, world industry representatives are drawing attention on the fact that women “play” an important role, and when they cross the threshold of responsible gambling, their manifestations, though more discreet, remain as damaging to themselves as well as to those close to them. A recent study released in June this year drew attention to the way in which gambling behavior is differentiated by gender. Thus, Australian researchers from the University of Adelaide, the Australian Gambling Research Centre and the Swinburne University analyzed the behavior of 1185 people (580 men and 605 women), of which 338 were classified as problem gamblers. Their results have led to the conclusion that when symptoms of addiction appear, men tend to become more outspoken, more aggressive in manifestations towards the staff in the game room/hall or towards other players, including being more bold in asking for favors from the location. On the opposite side, women are much more restrained. Silent and wishing to be less noticeable, they will show signs of depression, sadness, and most often will give less attention to personal care.
“It is true that In our country we most often see men in gambling rooms, casinos or betting agencies. But this must not prevent us from noticing the difficulties that women may face when they lose sight of the fact that the role of gambling is strictly that of entertainment. Such studies are of real use to us as they draw our attention to other categories of players who are at risk and, equally important, to clues to identify them and provide the support they need”, said ROMBET representatives, an association which, since its establishment, has imposed the responsible gambling as a priority of its activity.
Whether out of shame or fear, most addicted players delay to seek help, as was the case with Sarah Grant, a 31-yearold woman from Cardiff. Only after 15 years of compulsive gambling, after losing her house and getting a prison sentence, the woman asked for help to overcome the problem.
“No matter how the addiction to play is manifested, no matter the age, social environment or even sex, industry representatives have an obligation to help troubled players.
We are glad that our members have grasped the importance of responsible gambling programs, as we also enjoy the seriousness which the ONJN addresses this issue with. We are expecting the establishment of the Responsible Gambling Foundation and we are convinced that together, state institutions, operators and associations, we can provide troubled players and their families with the support that is indispensable, “commented Mr. Dan Alexandru Ghiță, President of Rombet, also pointing out, again, the need for a detailed study at country level which would provide the necessary information for the design and implementation of effective Responsible Gambling programs.
An example of such a program may be the one announced by the UK, a benchmark country in the Responsible Gambling sector. Gamstop, the site-which the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) will launch by the end of the year, -will allow trouble-makers to self-exclude from all licensed online gambling operators in the UK.
“Initiatives must be constant and efforts must be deployed on as many fronts as possible to meet the needs of our players, who have to be provided with a wide range of options.
But the existence and success of these options depend on the extent to which all those involved in the industry understand that only by working together we can contribute to the development of the domain and, implicitly, to the business of each operator, “concluded Rombet President, Mr. Dan Alexandru Ghiță.