Bingo, Ladies and Internet Gambling
Initially online gambling was mainly done by men. This is hardly surprising as far more men that women gamble generally; just look at casinos and the betting shops. Also, in the early days of the web there were more male than female users.
Naturally the ratio of male to female internet users has changed. Altogether there are in Europe and the USA approximately two male internet users to every female, but amongst the young age demographic females are just as likely to use the internet as males.
Times have also changed regarding the attitude of females to gambling. Various surveys have shown that one factor for female resistance to gambling was security. Females tend to feel insecure in betting shops and casinos which are seen as a male preserve.
Interestingly this does not apply to bingo halls. This has been the one form of gambling venue in which females have felt secure. This is because they were seen as welcoming and provided an opportunity to socialise.
The other place where females find that they are not intimidated is on line. Various surveys have shown that females feel far less intimidated in an online gambling environment.
Putting these two things together, it is hardly surprising that females have taken to online bingo much as a duck might take to water. Online bingo provides a secure, unchallenging environment where females can enjoy playing bingo whilst feeling entirely un-intimidated. Additionally, there is a strong social side to online bingo which they find very appealing.
Encouraged by their positive experience to play bingo online for money, females are increasingly playing other gambling games online. These include casino games and even poker, though many females who do play poker online adopt a male identity whilst doing so, probably as a form of protection against male poker sharks.
Most, however, stick to bingo as that is where they find the greatest fun.