The NFL Championship Game will leave many people bruised and battered. These are not players who may wear their injuries with pride following the contest, but women bearing the brunt of abuse at the hands of their partners who lost large wagers on the Big Game. This spousal violence after the Big Game is so widespread that the following day was once called “Black and Blue Monday”. This disturbing designation is no longer used, but it graphically depicts the violent fallout in the home that too often accompanies gambling.
While physical abuse of women stemming from gambling may peak after pro football’s title game, it occurs year-round. With the increased access to sports gambling and various forms of betting online, the number of cases of spouse/partner abuse will most likely climb.
The link between gambling and domestic abuse is well established. Up to 64 percent of spouses of disordered gamblers suffer abuse, according to search report, “Problem Gambling and Family Violence, Prevalence and Patterns in Treatment Seekers” (Dowling, et al). Although women suffer from physical abuse at the hands of gamblers, it is by no means the only form of mistreatment they endure as a result of gambling losses; they also experience related sexual, psychological, financial and emotional abuse from their spouses/partners.
Help for Those Experiencing Domestic Violence
New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-572-SAFE (7233); and
National Domestic Violence Help Hotline: 800-799-7233
Help for Individuals & Families Struggling with a Gambling Disorder
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, also known as 1-800-GAMBLER, is dedicated to providing hope and recovery to the disordered gambler and their families through educational resources and by referring problem and disordered gamblers and their families to support groups and treatment. For help, please contact us at 1-800-GAMBLER. For more information about the COCG, contact Daniel Meara, Prevention and Communications Specialist, at daniel.meara@800gambler.org.