Go to any land-based casino and you will likely notice a big difference in the number of men sitting and playing at the tables and slot machines compared to the number of women. The same will likely be the case when you participate in a friendly game of online poker or a live dealer casino game. The sad reality is that the world of gaming and poker in particular has been dominated by men from the very beginning.
Even today, there are still far more male gamers than female gamers. Additionally, a study conducted in 2013 and published in the National Library of Medicine reported that men (69%) played twice as much as women (36%) in terms of game engagement or frequency. 7.5 times more likely to become problem gamers than women. Below we see why this popular pastime seems to attract more men than women. We'll also see what the future might hold for women who love to gamble and what ferocious women are making a name for themselves in the industry.
Why is there a gender gap in gaming?
The jury is out on this point. Ask an expert and you'll likely get a different opinion every time. Some believe there are more male players simply because men continue to make more money than women due to the gender pay gap. As a result, men supposedly have more disposable income to spend on online poker tournaments or playing poker in land-based casinos.
Other people say the reason has nothing to do with finances, but rather because many women have less free time than some men. Although gender roles have changed significantly in recent decades, for most families, women still play a more dominant role in caring and other household tasks.
Another theory, albeit somewhat stereotyped, is that men are "naturally" more competitive and are more likely to take greater risks than women. This could be why men are more inclined to participate in competitive casino games like Texas Hold'em Poker.
Finally, some experts believe that many women who might be interested in gaming may not feel comfortable or safe gaming in a casino where they are surrounded by men and stand out from the crowd. This is one of the reasons why most women who gamble tend to spend a good portion of their time doing so online. It is an excellent leveler.
What does the future hold?
Looking back, it cannot be denied that the gambling industry has not had a female presence since its inception. The question is, is it starting to change? According to the research, the answer is "Yes". Studies have shown that around 30-40% of iGaming participants are women. This is significantly higher than the percentage of women currently gambling in land-based casinos.
There is no doubt that online gambling has opened up an exciting world for many women from diverse backgrounds. After all, it is much more convenient to register and play via the Internet than to drive to the casino. In short, the future of gaming looks bright for anyone who feels the thrill of receiving the cards, regardless of gender!
Notable women in the poker industry
The more the female game is seen and normalized, the more women feel comfortable trying it out
for themselves. Luckily, many incredibly talented women are already taking the industry by storm.
Vanessa Selbst is probably the most famous female player of all time. She was born in 1984 and graduated in law. She is the only woman to have reached the first place of the Global Poker Index. To date, Selbst has earned $11.8 million in live poker tournament winnings.
Another female poker player to watch is Kristen Bicknell, a Canadian poker player with an impressive $5.1 million in live poker tournament earnings. She also received the distinction of being ranked the world's top professional poker player in 2017.
Regardless of your gender, age or experience level, you always have access to the best online poker, blackjack and online slots games here at 11ic. Choose from a variety of favorites to play in your free time and connect with other like-minded people!
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