Gambling addiction has an unexpected and fast-growing face: women. Online betting apps are pulling a rising number of women into compulsive gambling, an epidemic that has largely stayed hidden behind depression, anxiety, and acute life stress. A Bloomberg Law report published in June 2026 reveals a dramatic shift in who is struggling with gambling disorder and why treatment approaches need to evolve to meet their specific needs.

How Are Women Getting Pulled Into Online Gambling?

Gambling experts have identified several distinct pathways that draw women into betting apps. Understanding these patterns helps explain why the problem has grown so rapidly in recent years:

• Sports Background: Some women who played sports from a young age are attracted to the competitive element of sports betting and player-prop bets.
• Relationship Influence: Others start by betting alongside a romantic partner during games, then continue gambling independently after the initial social context fades.
• Lower Knowledge Barriers: Player-prop bets, which are wagers on how many points or yards an individual athlete will produce, lower the knowledge barrier for newcomers who might not follow sports closely.
• Life Stage Transitions: Many women struggling with online gambling are new mothers or women going through menopause, periods marked by significant stress and emotional upheaval.

One woman profiled in the Bloomberg Law report began gambling while managing postpartum depression and lost as much as $200,000 over three years before filing for bankruptcy and stopping. Her story illustrates how gambling disorder often emerges alongside other mental health challenges.

What Do the Numbers Reveal About This Trend?

The statistics paint a striking picture of rapid change. Women made up 35% of online sports gamblers last year, up from 26% in 2022, according to the American Gaming Association. That represents a 9-percentage-point increase in just four years. Even more telling, nearly a quarter of Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings over the past 12 months that listed sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, or BetMGM as creditors were filed by women, according to Bloomberg Law's own review.

Clinicians working in addiction treatment are witnessing this shift firsthand. Jody Bechtold, CEO of the Better Institute and a gambling counselor for 20 years, told Bloomberg Law that before the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to legal online betting, women were roughly 40% of her clients. Now they are about 90%. This dramatic change in her client base reflects a broader transformation in who is developing gambling disorder.

"Before the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the door to legal online betting, women were roughly 40% of my clients. Now they are about 90%," said Jody Bechtold.

Jody Bechtold, CEO of the Better Institute

Why Does Gambling Addiction Stay Hidden Among Women?

Despite the rising prevalence, women struggling with gambling addiction remain largely invisible in public discourse and treatment settings. Elizabeth Thielen of Nicasa described women struggling with online gambling as "invisible" because most research focuses on young men ages 18 to 39. This research gap means that treatment providers, policymakers, and the general public have a distorted understanding of who is actually affected.

Recovery groups compound this invisibility. The report notes that recovery groups are often made up mostly of men, creating an environment where women may not feel understood or supported. One woman reported she was paired with a male sponsor with whom she repeatedly clashed and wished she had been matched with a woman who understood the psychological weight she was carrying. This mismatch highlights how treatment infrastructure has not kept pace with changing demographics.

Gambling disorder is recognized as a behavioral addiction, similar to substance use disorders. Like substance abuse, it often appears alongside depression or anxiety, which is why mental health treatment and addiction treatment frequently overlap in a strong care plan.

What Policy Changes Are Emerging?

In March 2026, Representatives Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 7875, described as the first bipartisan bill aimed at gambling addiction. The bill redirects a portion of the federal excise tax on sports wagers toward prevention, treatment, and recovery. This legislative action signals growing recognition that gambling addiction requires dedicated resources and attention.

Cait Huble of the National Council on Problem Gambling cautioned that rising participation does not automatically mean rising harm, and that most people gamble responsibly. However, she said warnings and protections should expand as more women play.

Steps to Take If Gambling Is Affecting Your Life

Women who see themselves in these accounts should know that help exists and that good treatment increasingly addresses co-occurring disorders, trauma, and the specific pressures women describe. If gambling, drinking, or drug use has started to affect your finances, relationships, or mental health, consider these next steps:

• Compare Treatment Options: Research and compare treatment options for gambling disorder and any co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
• Understand Insurance Coverage: Verify what your insurance plan covers for mental health and addiction treatment to identify affordable options.
• Explore Evidence-Based Therapies: Look into cognitive behavioral therapy and peer support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, which have demonstrated effectiveness for gambling disorder.
• Verify Provider Credentials: Check a provider's credentials and treatment approach before committing to a program to ensure quality care.
• Use Built-In Tools: Many betting apps offer deposit limits, time limits, and self-exclusion tools that can reinforce a treatment plan rather than replace it.

Women who struggle with gambling addiction deserve treatment that acknowledges their unique experiences, addresses underlying mental health conditions, and connects them with peers who understand their journey. As awareness grows and policy begins to shift, the hope is that more women will find the support they need to recover.