Today, women are establishing themselves especially at the poker table and with the same enthusiasm as their male counterparts
The gambling and online gaming sector clearly has a male face, which tends not to take women into consideration but to focus above all on men. Traditionally this industry remains an example of gender inequality: even if women have been successful in male-dominated sectors (such as medicine and finance), making it in the world of casinos, betting and bluffing is still not easy today for the female sex.
How much truth is there in all this today and how, if necessary, can we make the gambling industry fair and equal for both women and men? Winnita Casino tried to look for some information on the topic.
The goddess who protects gambling
Fortuna was the Roman goddess of gambling, so it is quite logical that women participated in some way in gambling activities in older civilizations. But there were limitations: women could gamble in public places only during the Bona Dea festival. However, many women chose to play privately, such as the Faro Ladies. This group of women held private faro card playing parties in 18th century England, until they were fined and subjected to a smear campaign against them following the announcement of George III's “decree against vice”.
Even in the mid-1950s, casino gaming was largely dominated by men. Every aspect of the industry, from management positions to day-to-day casino operations, and even the most sought-after players, have been overwhelmingly male. However, over the last two decades the role of women in the gambling industry has become more significant: women are gaining ground in every aspect and their contribution as pro players, executives and managers is notable.
Women in gambling
Historically, women have almost never had the opportunity to play casino games in public places, or legally, until fairly recently. Let's not even talk about being able to work or create a career in this very specific field. However, this certainly hasn't stopped many women from playing and some have distinguished themselves, both as players and as casino owners.
According to various research carried out in recent years, being a woman in a male-dominated sector such as gambling can however lead to an increase in stress and anxiety. In fact, women tend to receive less support and professional development opportunities, thus ending up entering male-dominated work environments, full of challenges due to pervasive gender stereotypes and prejudices. This makes it harder for more women to find success, but some have become true leaders in gambling.
The female conquest of poker and sports
Today, women are establishing themselves especially at the poker table and with the same enthusiasm as their male counterparts. Surprisingly, almost half of all casino visitors are female, accounting for 49% of the total. A figure that reflects a substantial and noteworthy female presence.
The online gambling arena is also seeing a surge in female participation, with a 44% presence in gaming and 42% in sports betting.
These statistics continue to grow and dispel the stereotype that gambling is a male-centric pastime.
Faceless croupiers
While gender inequality, especially among casino dealers, is a long-standing phenomenon, casinos are increasingly recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Initiatives that promote equal opportunities and the breaking down of gender barriers are also gaining traction in this industry, both for the gaming public and for the professionals behind the scenes.
In fact, the introduction of online gambling platforms has also provided a more equal playing field for both genders. Virtual croupiers finally neglect the physical appearance, focusing instead on professionalism and competence. As a result, the representation of male and female dealers in the online sphere tends to be more balanced.
An evolution towards equal opportunities
As time passes, we can expect the roles of men and women to move ever closer to equality. Gambling professionals, whether male or female, black, white or purple, should all be judged on their skills and abilities and not on discriminatory judgments such as gender, race or age.