Gendered gambling domains and changes in Sweden

Abstract

The study examines two Swedish replication prevalence studies (n = 10,000 and n = 15,000) with the aim of exploring evidence for a feminization of gambling in Sweden between 1997/1998 and 2008/2009. Gambling domains were classified based on the games' basic orientation towards strategy and chance, as well as on each game's setting in either a public place or a home environment. The criterion for a domain was that the respondent had gambled at least twice a month in any mode of gambling within the domain. Logistic regression analysis showed no signs of a feminization. Instead, the gender order in gambling seems to be reinforced. Preferences for the different types of domains were still highly gendered, despite the fact that men in 2008/2009 tended to gamble more on games of chance, especially in public places. The implications of the findings in relation to gender equality and constraints on women's leisure activities are further discussed.