7 Surprising Facts About Women in Gambling

Gambling has historically been seen as a male-dominated activity, but recent trends show a significant increase in female participation across various aspects of the industry. Here are ten intriguing facts that highlight the evolving role of women in gambling:

1. Affluent Women in High-Stakes Gambling

More and more women are hitting it big in high-stakes gambling, not only as players but also as influencers and stakeholders.  Elaine Wynn, often called the "Queen of Vegas," is a perfect example. As co-founder of Wynn Resorts, she helped shape some of Las Vegas's most luxurious and successful casinos, like Wynn Las Vegas and Encore. Her net worth sits at at a whopping $2.3 billion.

On the player side we have Vanessa Selbst, the highest-earning female poker player, with over $11.9 million in live tournament winnings. She made history by becoming the first woman to win three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets and two North American Poker Tour Main Events back-to-back.

Fun fact: Did you know the richest woman in the UK is a casino CEO? Check out our article on the UK's top 3 billionaire women to learn more about her. 

2. Rise of Women in Poker Tournaments

Did you know that 95% of professional poker players are men? Luckily, things are starting to shift, and women’s participation in poker is on the rise, with many achieving huge success.

Vanessa Rousso, a professional poker player and TV personality, has accumulated an impressive $3.5 million in live tournament winnings. Dubbed “Lady Maverick” for her aggressive plays and bold personality, she was one of the first women to secure a sponsorship from Pokerstars.net in the early 2000s.

Other notable players include Liv Boeree, with over $3.8 million in earnings and a WSOP, Kristen Bicknell, with three WSOP bracelets, Maria Ho, Annie Duke, Annette Obrestad, and more. These women are narrowing the gender gap in poker and inspiring new generations of women to pursue and excel at the game—and we are all for it!

3. Jenny Just’s Contribution to Women in Poker

Trying to become a successful entrepreneur? Learn poker!

At least that is what self-made billionaire Jenny Just had in mind when she founded Poker Power, a platform which uses poker as a tool to coach women in business and entrepreneurship. Participants learn valuable skills like risk assessment, decision-making and reading people, helping them become more confident. Since kickstarting in 2020, over 32,000 women worldwide have connected with the programs’ in-person and online courses. The launch of the Poker Power Play app in 2022  brought even more training tools and instructional videos to help players improve at the game.

4. Women in Casino Leadership Positions 

Recent studies show that women hold about 25% of senior managerial roles and only 10% of CEO positions in the gambling sector. Despite these numbers, there's a growing push for more gender diversity in the industry. In the UK, figures like Jackie Murphy, CEO of Grosvenor Casinos, and Liz McNamara, who leads Rank Group's gaming division, are leading the charge for more women in top casino roles. Looking ahead, we can also expect more women to break into the ranks of the UK's top billionaires. 

5. Gambling Preferences By Gender

Men have consistently taken the lead when it comes to gambling, but the gap is starting to close. In 2023, a survey conducted by the UK Gambling Commission shows that 45.2% of male Brits wagered at least once a month, compared to 41.8% of women.

Men are also more represented across all types of gambling. 74% of male bettors play the lottery versus 62% of women. 29% of men play casino games, compared to 20% of women. 12% of female players play card games compared to 21% of men. The same is true for sports betting, with 13% male participation compared to only 3% among women. Even bingo, traditionally seen as more popular among women, shows higher participation from men at 11%, in contrast with 8% of women. 

As we can see, the most preferred type of gambling among women is lottery betting, which isn’t a surprise, with casino games coming in second place.

6. Challenges Faced by Female Gamblers

Despite strides towards equality, female gamblers still face obstacles. One persistent challenge is the stereotype of gambling as a male-only activity. This perception can discourage some women from seeking professional help for problem gambling, or they may find it harder to openly discuss their issues.

Unequal treatment can also be a hurdle. Observational studies suggest women might experience subtle forms of discrimination in casinos, receiving less complimentary service or slower attention. This can create an unwelcome environment that pushes women away. The same holds true for competitive games like poker, where the culture and environment tend to discourage women's participation.

7. Combating Women’s Gambling Addiction in the UK

The growing prevalence of gambling addiction among women is a growing concern, particularly in places like the UK where 1 in 100 female players report experiencing problems. Luckily, we have institutions set in place to help such players: 

As mandated by the UK Gambling Commission, all licensed casinos have to register with Gamstop, a self-exclusion scheme designed to help players restrict their access to online gambling sites. Gamstop allows users to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling activities for a chosen period, providing a crucial tool for those struggling with addiction. 

Another organisation, GambleAware, promotes responsible gambling through education, information, and support services. It also offers specially tailored resources for women, youth and families, aiming to prevent gambling-related harm across all players. 

Lastly, GamCare offers confidential support and counselling services tailored to individuals affected by gambling problems. They operate a helpline and online support forums, providing practical advice and emotional support to help individuals regain control of their gambling habits. 

References: 

1. Gambling Commission. Statistics and research. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/about-us/statistics-and-research
2. Forbes. Billionaires. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
3. PokerNews. Female all-time money list. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://www.pokernews.com/poker-players/female-all-time-money-list/
4. Hing, N., Russell, A., Tolchard, B., & Nower, L. (2014, November). A comparative study of men and women gamblers in Victoria (Research Report). Centre for Gambling Education & Research, Southern Cross University; School of Health, University of New England; Center for Gambling Studies, Rutgers University.