Gambling in women: A systematic review of interventions and prevention approaches

Monreal-Bartolome, Alicia and Cabrera-Gil, Itxaso and Royuela-Colomer, Estibaliz and Mateo-Canedo, Corel and Beltran-Ruiz, Maria and Perez-Aranda, Adrian and Sanabria-Mazo, Juan P. and Lopez-del-Hoyo, Yolanda (2026) Gambling in women: A systematic review of interventions and prevention approaches. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS, 15 (1). pp. 135-156. ISSN 2062-5871

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Abstract

Background Gambling disorder (GD) is a behavioral addiction with significant psychological, social, and economic consequences. Despite growing female participation and distinct gambling characteristics, research and interventions largely male-centered, overlooking women-specific factors. Objectives This systematic review synthesizes evidence on prevention and treatment interventions for women with GD, assessing their effectiveness on gambling behaviors, cognitive and psychological outcomes, and identifying barriers related to access, adherence, and gender-sensitive design. Method A systematic search in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (up to September 2025) identified quantitative studies reporting female-specific outcomes in gambling prevention or treatment. Study quality was appraised using National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tools, and data on intervention characteristics, outcomes, and participant profiles were extracted. Results Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria (five prevention, thirteen treatment). Prevention programs, mostly universal and adolescent-focused, improved gambling knowledge, cognitive distortions, and short term gambling frequency; however, socioemotional effects were inconsistent. Only one study included follow-up assessment. Treatment studies, predominantly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based, reduced gambling severity and psychological distress, although dropout and relapse rates were higher among women with greater psychopathology or limited support. Person-centered approaches benefited of tailoring interventions to individual profiles. No studies systematically applied gender-sensitive frameworks or disaggregated outcomes by sex in prevention. Discussion and Conclusion Prevention and treatment programs can benefit women, but standard interventions insufficiently address their unique needs. Gender-sensitive, individualized strategies, inclusion of socioemotional factors, and long-term evaluations are essential to enhance outcomes and inform inclusive public health policies.

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