CONCERNS AT RISE IN WOMEN MOBILE GAMBLERS

Monday July 4, 2011 :  Smart phones have increased the appeal of internet gambling among Scottish women, says problem gambling charity 
 
Discussing new statistics from the problem gambling charity RCA Trust over the weekend, the Scotsman newspaper reported that the number of Scottish women falling into debt through online gambling is increasing – and the new generation smartphones are the cause.
 
RCA Trust has logged a 15 percent rise in women of all ages getting into debt through using Internet poker and bingo sites in the last year.
 
The Trust says it has been contacted by more than 200 women, many of whom have racked up debts totaling thousands of pounds, with increased use of smartphones making it easier to gamble around the clock. This has boosted the number of young women who have developed problem online gambling tendencies, while older women have also started to use the Internet more.
 
"This is becoming a major issue," the Scotsman quoted Andy Todd, counseling manager for the RCA Trust as saying. "It is the tip of the iceberg – there will be a lot more women out there who are in the same situation and do not come to us, or any other organisations, for help."
 
"The key is the accessibility – that people can log in 24-7 from their smart phone as well as from their computer," Todd said.
 
Researchers believe that women who feel isolated – especially if they are living alone in rural communities – are most likely to turn to online gambling.