Female gamblers get their own meetings to help deal with 'secret shame'

Organisers of the inaugural meeting at Renfield St Stephen's church on Wednesday hope to turn it into a monthly event to cope with the rising numbers of women seeking help from the fellowship, which has 40 female members.

Studies have shown that women see the addiction as socially unacceptable and in conflict with their traditional role running the family finances, unlike in the United States, where many women openly gamble.

Although male gamblers will not be barred, they will be politely told there are other fellowships that they can attend in future.

Co-organiser Pauline, 43, from Glasgow, whose named has been changed to protect her identity, is a grandmother and mother of two who was addicted to slot machines for several years.

She told the Sunday Herald: "We needed to do something for women addicts who don't want to sit around a table listening to 20 men discussing their problems.

"I'm not asking for women to receive special treatment, but clearly there's a need to discuss our feelings in an environment where we are more likely to have a sympathetic response.

"There are some things women don't feel comfortable talking about in front of men, such as issues involving their children or close relationship with their mothers.

"A man who goes gambling is seen as macho, but it's not socially acceptable for a woman unless she is playing the bingo or National Lottery.

"It's not acceptable for a woman to say she can't afford the mortgage or buy her kids new clothes because she has been playing the fruit machines."

Gerda Reith, a senior lecturer at Glasgow University's sociology department, who has conducted several studies into the issue, suggested that betting shops are contributing to the problem by making them more female-friendly with the introduction of soft furnishings and coffee bars.

The British Gambling Prevalence Survey last year found that 71% of men were likely to gamble, compared with 65% of women, although a higher proportion of women play bingo.

Reith said: "Women tend to be drawn to these meetings because they guarantee anonymity, but instead feel exposed because of the male dominance.

"It's ironic there is still a lot of stigma attached to women gamblers, given the feminisation by betting companies in making their premises more user-friendly, encouraging them to play.

"We found women will go to incredible lengths to hide their loses, sometimes opening up bank accounts, taking out loans or paying off other loans and keep it hidden, while gambling away for years."

Grandmother and mother-of-five Margaret, 58, from Renfrewshire, became so obsessed with playing slot machines that she obtained a job in her local arcade, working 12-hour shifts so that her partner would not find out.

She said the new meeting could solve the problem of jealous partners who are worried about the amount of time female addicts spend discussing their problems with men at fellowship meetings.

She added: "I was getting up at 6am and as soon as my man went out to work, left the house for the amusement arcade. I spent so much that I got a job and was effectively working for nothing because my wages went back into the machines.

"Men and women face similar problems, but this meeting will encourage women to speak to us. I expect some opposition from men, but it will compliment the fellowship's work.

"I know where I would be if I hadn't found the fellowship and it is not a nice place."

Marilyn Lancelot, of Phoenix, Arizona, pioneered the initiative from her home 17 years ago after being released from her two-year prison sentence for embezzling more than $300,000 (£153,000) from her employer. Now three groups run in Arizona and two in Phoenix.

Lancelot, 77, who published a book, Gripped By Gambling, said: "Men said that women couldn't be gamblers as they played slot machines or bingo and threatened to break into the first meeting. It never happened and we have gone from strength to strength.

"I'm pleased these groups are taking off in the UK."