The online gambling industry is, without a doubt, one of the largest industries in various countries worldwide. From casinos to sportsbooks and other virtual gambling opportunities, there are loads of opportunities to unpack. However, most people see the industry as male-centered, with a general belief that women don’t take risks or gamble.
Though there are more men in the gambling space than women, it doesn’t equate to the absence of the female gender in the industry. Many women are stepping up to change the narrative and debunk these stereotypes that fester in the online gambling space – and we will be showing that in this article.
Top Untrue Stereotypes and Myths About Women in Gambling
Here are some common myths women have countered and disproved over time by playing games and participating in various activities at the best crypto casinos.
1. There are Hardly Female Gamblers
One of the most common conversations in the gambling space is that it is for men. Many even believe that it’s almost impossible to find female gamers in a male-dominated space. However, the truth is that there are more female gamblers out there than people think.
In fact, the percentage of video gamers in the US by gender shows that about 49% are women and nearly 51% are men. That means there are just about 2% more men than women gamers, contrary to the general public opinion.
Moreover, it doesn’t end with playing games alone. Some female gamers have gone ahead building online communities to show other women that it’s possible to break the bias.
For instance, one of the most followed gamers on Twitch is a Moroccan Canadian woman called Pokimane. The same woman has grown a following of over 6 million across Instagram and YouTube.
2. Female Gamblers Only Play Casual Games
Casual games are a category in the gaming space that comprises easy-to-play options like Candy Crush. As a result, many people believe that female gamblers are not capable of playing hardcore games that require strategy and skill.
However, this has also been proven to be untrue. For instance, 7% of those who play shooter games are women, and another 69% of women play family or farm simulator games. That means women are spread across different gaming categories outside of casual and mobile games.
Even at that, the data may not represent the actual reality, considering that the gaming world is sexist and many women conceal their gender. Some even stop playing certain games because of the risk of facing sexual and verbal abuse from male players.
That explains why there aren’t so many women playing multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games. Overall, the belief that women are only attracted to casual and mobile games has been proven to be unfounded.
3. Women Gamers Only Seek Attention
Another harmful myth that undermines the role of women in the gaming space is that they only play games to seek men’s attention. Some believe women who gamble are doing it for the male gaze and attention and do not particularly enjoy the games.
However, data shows that women play online games for the same reasons as their male counterparts. These include the need for social interactions, community-building, camaraderie, fun, and challenges.
So, as opposed to playing for attention, they even condemn the unwanted attention they get from men and the harassment that often comes with it. For instance, top female gamers have spoken about their frustrations with online harassment from men.
A typical example is a female Twitch gamer called Sunpi, who usually faces accusations of seeking the male gaze despite showing over the years that she’s highly skilled and dedicated to her craft. According to her, no man has ever been accused of gaming to seek validation from women.
4. Male Gamblers Are More Skilled Than Female Ones
A lifelong debate is the difference between men and women due to innate gender predispositions. This conversation is also prominent in the gaming space, where female gamers are often harassed because some opine that men are naturally better than women in gaming.
However, research shows that men and women hone their online gaming skills at almost the same pace. Gaming can develop anyone’s cognitive and spatial cognition skills regardless of their gender.
This also debunks the notion that men in STEM and other fields that require high-level skills are better than women.
Moreover, there’s also the idea that women opt for less competitive games, play less, and perform worse than men. We have now established that women’s gaming choices are largely due to them avoiding sexual harassment and other issues.
5. Women Are More Likely to Be Addicted to Gambling
Finally, there’s another general belief that women are emotional beings and are more likely to get addicted to gaming. Many believe men are more calculative when taking gambling risks, and they make better decisions around money and bankroll management.
However, this is another unfounded myth that has been proven to be false by available data. A survey from the National Library of Medicine debunks this myth. According to the research provided, men have higher levels of gambling involvement and are more susceptible to gambling problems, including addiction.
Why Debunking Female Sterotypes and Myths is Crucial
Here are some reasons why countering the wrong narratives about women in gambling is important:
- Female gamers can play with more freedom
- Women can feel welcome in the broader gaming space
- Violence against women can be kept at bay
- Misogynistic ideals and activities can be dropped
Conclusion
Many myths exist about female online gaming, and we’ve debunked some of them in this article. Ultimately, disproving the myth that men are naturally better at gaming than women or that women play games to seek male validation is important in creating a society where women can do what they love without fear or prejudice.
By recognizing and valuing the contributions of female gamers, we can foster diversity and inclusion in gaming. We can also show them the respect they deserve and foster a community where both men and women gamers can thrive together.
