At the B17-23 R Mental Health Research Group—a consolidated research group of the Government of Aragon, led by Principal Investigator Javier García Campayo and Co-Principal Investigator Yolanda López del Hoyo—we consider this to be a positive, high-quality study that can be utilized by various researchers; it is a highly original study that makes use of very important data that European regulations require to be published. The data is published by the company itself. It would be interesting for future researchers to assess whether the focus of the advertisements is directed at women or men; this is an important piece of information. In reality, the way advertisements are used on social media is not utilized by the industry for reasons that could be explained. It would be necessary to review whether any operators remain to be analyzed. In short, we have found comprehensive, real-world data for social and economic analysis, which could be a double-edged sword for the gambling sector itself to improve its target audience, while creating new vulnerabilities, such as among young people. This is a study that could certainly be replicated in our country, Spain.
We understand that the objectification of women’s images by the gambling industry is yet another investment aimed at boosting its profits. We are portrayed as mere spectators, sexualized images designed to perpetuate gender norms and increase profits, as we explain in this article.
Several studies have highlighted gender differences in motivations, progression, and comorbidity, as we discuss in our latest research. While men tend to gamble in search of excitement, competition, or monetary reward (Lamont and Hing, 2018), women frequently gamble as a coping strategy for emotional distress, loneliness, grief, exposure to violence, or the burden of caregiving (Dowling et al., 2016; Håkansson, 2016; McCarthy et al., 2023; Vázquez-Fernández, 2012).
These differences are also reflected in preferred forms of gambling: women tend to participate in non-strategic forms such as bingo, the lottery, or slot machines (Jiménez-Murcia, 2020a; Lara-Huallipe et al., 2022), while men tend to participate in sports betting, card games, horse racing, and skill-based gambling activities (Hing, Russell, Tolchard, & Nower, 2016a; Hing, Russell, Vitartas, & Lamont, 2016b), although interest in sports betting is increasing among young women (Baño et al., 2021).