Objective: The aim of this study is to develop a questionnaire to assess responsible gambling habits in females of the general population, to explore its psychometric properties and to compare the results between a community sample and a clinical sample of patients with gambling disorder. We also aim at providing empirical evidence of the gambling habits among Spanish females. Method: Two samples were selected to develop the questionnaire and to explore gambling habits in female Spanish population. The clinical sample was recruited from the Pathological Gambling Unit at the University Hospital of Bellvitge (Barcelona, Spain), comprising 30 patients. The community sample was recruited from individuals visiting the hospital for the Dentistry and Chiropody Departments, placed at the same university hospital and it comprised 316 females. Results: The questionnaire showed high values for sensitivity and specificity, discriminating between patients with gambling disorder and healthy controls. More than a 3% of the females from the community sample presented a problematic gambling behavior. In relation to predictors of gambling behavior, low socioeconomic status emerged as the unique socio-demographic factor for problematic gambling. Moreover, the illusion of winning money through gambling or feeling better by gambling were powerful stimulators of gambling behavior. Conclusions: Despite being male is strongly associated with the development of problem gambling, females can also be considered "at risk gamblers" themselves. To explore gambling habits of this population, identifying potentially harmful behaviors, in order to maintain responsible gambling habits, may contribute to the development of prevention and education programs promoting the general health of the community
