Women struggling with gambling -

I felt I didn’t even need companionship, I had my slot machines

IT STARTED with taking a chance on the slot machines, usually at Montecasino or Gold Reef City.

But it wasn’t long before she was hooked, said Lesego*, a marketing consultant from Alexandra.

“In one day, I won R50 000. It’s hard to say no to that kind of rush,” she recalls.

Lesego started gambling in 2010 to escape the twin stresses of her relationship and financial situation. And yet, ultimately, her habit cost her far more than she ever won.

The South African Responsible Gambling Foundation has raised the alarm on the rise of problem gambling among women.

The foundation’s treatment and counselling manager, Heidi Sinclair, said as many as 51% of all South African women gambled, and female problem gamblers were likely to be more severely affected by the condition.

Sinclair said gambling addiction took a shorter time to set in among female gamers than among their male counterparts.

Between 2010 and 2015, Lesego lost her job, family and friends.

“Part of my problem, as a gambling addict, is that I was lying to the people who were closest to me, who should have been able to trust me,” she said.

“I didn’t care, though – I reached a stage where I felt I didn’t even need human companionship. I had my slot machines – they were my friends.”

Running out of money to support her gambling habit, Lesego found herself in debt. Desperate, she turned to loan sharks to help her sort out her financial problems, but she wasn’t able to pay them back, either.

Lesego says she was on the verge of suicide, but after seeing a National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) pamphlet at the casino help desk, she looked for help.

It took Lesego three months of intensive treatment, attending 20 counselling sessions.

“It was hard. There were many times when I felt like gambling. I was a black card holder. I was on their database, which meant that I was constantly receiving text messages and vouchers. Casinos are always trying to lure you in even when you are addicted. I managed to stay strong – I haven’t been to a casino since November 2014.”

Sinclair said many female gamblers experienced intense anxiety. But while this may take the form of psychological issues with women, male gamblers usually often presented with alcoholism or drug addiction, she said.

Women’s gambling frequently centres around activities that require little strategy, such as slot machines or bingo, and it is these activities that may trap them in a cycle of problem gambling. This may be changing, though, as more women are becoming attracted to online gambling, perceived to be safer.

In a statement, The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board said it assisted problem gamblers with self-exclusions, where those who wished to could completes consent forms that the board then circulated to licence holders to exclude these specific patrons from entering gambling sites.

The board also posts publications on the dangers or pitfalls of irresponsible gambling.

Contact www.sargf.co.za or call 0800 006 008 for more information.

*not her real name