The online gambling industry has grown massively since the turn of the century and the trend looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Technological developments and changes in legislation in potentially huge new markets are two of the main factors that are driving the boom.
However, there are many other reasons for the explosion of revenues in the sector and one of the most important is undoubtedly the rising number of women who now gamble online.
Studies have shown that women’s gambling habits differ greatly from their male counterparts, creating a wealth of opportunities for online operators.
Read on as we take a closer look at women and online gambling, in order to assess how this manifests itself within the industry.
Women and Men Are Different
Women and men differ on many levels and that is certainly the case when it comes to the type of gambling games each of the sexes enjoys playing.
While men tend to be attracted to skill games such as poker or blackjack, slots are amongst the casino games that women love the most.
Studies have shown that many women gravitate more naturally to games of chance, often favouring the entertainment element over winning.
Men are naturally more competitive beasts, so going head-to-head with the house and making a profit is what gambling is all about for them.
Factoring in the Social Element
For many women, online gambling provides them with an anchor activity they can use to social with friends or family.
In some cases, it can also provide an opportunity for them to forge new ‘virtual’ friendships with like-minded individuals.
For example, many online bingo sites are hugely sociable arenas, providing opportunities to play and chat in a relaxing environment.
Whereas some areas of the internet can feel threatening to women, online bingo pitches them into familiar surroundings where they can have fun.
Women Keep Their Emotions in Check
Researchers in Australia have discovered that women are more likely than men to stay in control of their emotions when they gamble.
Men often display aggression when they hit a losing streak – behaviour which can lead to them damaging the machines they play or being rude towards fellow players or staff.
By contrast, women generally remain calm, although in some extreme cases they may display certain depressive characteristics.
However, for most women online gambling is an activity they can fully enjoy as an entertainment activity that never causes them any issues.
Staying the Right Side of the Line
Numerous studies over the past few years have shown that men are far more likely to become problem gamblers than women.
Boredom and loneliness are often key contributors in this respect for women, with some using online gambling as a form of escapism.
For most women online gambling is not a problem, with the entertainment aspect being the key driver behind this.
The majority of females are able to stay the right side of the line by following the same rules they apply to their household finances – setting a budget and sticking to it.
Women and Online Gambling in the Future
Gambling operators rarely miss the chance to widen the scope of the operations and women undoubtedly present them with an opportunity to do just that.
Targeted marketing has already helped them to attract more females to their sites and that trend is unlikely to slow down anytime soon.
Increased ease of access via mobile devices is also contributing to more women partaking in online gambling in the 21st century.
With new tech such as virtual reality (VR) set to revolutionise the sector even further, the number of women playing games online is likely to continue rising.