Male vs female gambling has been a significant focus of gambling research in recent years. Looking back to the mid-20th century, this wasn’t the case. Back then, most research focused on men. However, this was not necessarily due to gender disparity or bias.
Several theories proposed by researchers across several countries explained the causes of gender gambling differences in those years. These included women’s social activity preferences, nurturing nature, and the societal construct around where a woman should be seen and not felt. Therefore, many women avoided certain places to prevent unneeded attention (which wouldn’t be a problem today at our online casino!)
Fast forward to today, and those previously believed reasons for gender differences in gambling are no longer valid. An increasing number of women are now actively engaging in gambling thanks to the fast spread of online casinos and betting sites. Nevertheless, the approach to gambling by both genders still differs in certain ways, which ultimately impacts their winnings.
Our casino news today provides facts-based reports about male vs female gambling, from engagement statistics to problem gaming.
Male vs Female Gambling: Who Wins & Loses More?
We will consider the most recent facts to establish a more balanced understanding of male vs female gambling. The similarities between both aren’t so far-fetched. Primarily, they stop at the reward and thrill of gaming or betting. However, daily habits are what define both genders.
Remember: there are a lot of games you might want to check out; visit our casino games overviews section for a bird’s-eye view on all we have!
Engagement: Who Gambles More?
Reports on male vs female gambling engagement vary from country to country. In the United States, about 60% of men and 40% of women gamble (a 20% difference). In the UK, the number is lower. According to Statista, a trusted site for data-related facts, between November 2023 and February 2024, 57% of gamblers were men, and 45% were women.
In Australia, according to the Australian Gambling Research Center report, in 2022, 48% of men and 28% of women engaged in gambling-related activities. But in 2024, these figures increased to 80.3% and 66.2% for males and females, respectively.
While reports vary worldwide, the general trend shows that men gamble more frequently than women. Although the percentage gap is decreasing, it generally remains between 10% and 30%.
Gender and Game Choice
Studies consistently show that men and women engage in different types of gambling. Generally, men dominate skill-based games like poker, blackjack, etc., while many female gamblers engage in lottery games, raffle draws, and bingo. According to a 2024 survey by the Statista research department, 46% of men participated in the lottery, while 40% was recorded for women.
Age also influences the types of games men and women play. How old do you have to be to gamble? Depending on the gambling activity, you must be at least 18 or 21. Women aged 55 and above tend to play electronic games like slots, enjoy in-house bingo activities, and buy lottery tickets. Younger women engage more frequently in sports betting and table games compared to their older counterparts. On the other hand, males over 40 tend to bet on horse racing and play poker, baccarat, or blackjack. Many also buy lottery tickets, while males between 18 and 25 wager more on sports betting.
However, the number of new-generation male and female players playing casino games online and wagering on sports is rapidly rising. According to Global Wireless Solutions, in 2022, more than 4.6 million women signed up for betting apps in the US. This number has increased over the last two years because more states have legalized sports betting.
Betting Spending Habits
Male gamblers tend to wager more money than female gamblers. Men tend to risk more money to win bigger rewards, while women are more conservative, considering their odds of winning.
Who Wins More, Male or Female?
Due to the higher number of male gamblers and the higher level of risk they are willing to take, men tend to win more than women. However, they record more gambling losses than women.
Going up the age ladder, older females tend to have good luck and win more than their male counterparts, which makes the debate of who wins more uncertain. Nevertheless, men who record wins are more due to population advantage in the gambling landscape. It’s never bad to get savvy on how to play. Do that at our casino guides section!
Reasons for Gambling
Both males and females are motivated to engage in gambling by their desire to win money. However, some women gamble as a way to reduce their stress, distract themselves from what is troubling them, and sometimes as a way to feel alive while being depressed due to work or family-related problems. However, some have been linked to mental health issues. Most of the time, females engage in online gambling activities, and they do so in isolation, according to the Gambling Commission UK.
Conversely, men gamble to earn more money, especially if they face financial difficulties. They also gamble to relax and socialize. Additionally, impulsiveness, escaping personal problems, or alleviating emotional distress are common motivations often overlooked.
Problem Gambling
The male vs female gambling problems gap is closing more than ever. However, males are more susceptible to being addicted. According to the news reported by AP, there are more men with gambling problems than the general population.
Nevertheless, female gambling addiction is just as bad as that of a man, according to Nancy, a gambler woman who wagered the money her father had saved up for his burial.
Age-wise, older females about 30 years are often those with gambling addiction, and they tend not to seek help because of the stigma it entails. However, recognizing this, more responsible gaming organizations and helplines have been created solely for women.
Closing Thoughts
Male vs female gambling reports differ based on various factors, including their attitude and approach to the entertainment activity. Men tend to take more risks than women and participate in a wider variety of gambling activities. However, males are more prone to gambling addiction, and they lose more money. If you are female and want to enjoy online gaming to the fullest while still having access to responsible gaming tools, the best site to visit is our online casino.
Overall, more attention is being paid to male and female gambling engagements by relevant bodies to ensure help is rendered to anyone who has veered off the responsible gaming path.
Stack the odds in your favor—hit that social media button!