Men gamble significantly more than women across all categories and age groups. Males are twice as likely to engage in frequent gambling compared to females.
Around 28% of men participate in regular gambling activities. On the other hand, only 13% of women are involved in gambling. This gender gap extends beyond participation rates to problem gambling.
This article covers research data to understand these gender differences in gambling behavior. We will explore participation rates, age patterns, preferred gambling activities, and the underlying reasons why men gamble more frequently and develop more serious problems than women.
Who Gambles More: Men Or Women?
Around 1.2% of the world’s adult population has a gambling disorder, according to the WHO. The gender disparity becomes even more pronounced when examining frequent gambling behavior.
A detailed report by the New York Council on Problem Gambling is here:
| Gender | Gamblers (%) |
|---|---|
| Men | 28% |
| Women | 13% |
Source: New York Council
The males also have 2x the rate of frequent and problem gambling, compared to women. Also, according to PMC research, approximately 64% of men engage in gambling compared to 36% of women.
Approximately 48% of people in the United Kingdom gamble, with 63% of males and 58% of females involved in gambling activities. Overall, this data shows that men not only participate more but also engage in riskier forms of gambling.
Final Word: Men gamble more often and across a wider range of gambling activities than women.
Men And Women Gambling: Age And Criteria
Age plays a significant role in gambling patterns between genders, with distinct developmental trajectories for men and women.
Men’s Age Criteria:
- Men typically start gambling earlier. Peak participation occurs during late teens.
- Men reach maximum gambling frequency by age 19. Early exposure leads to sustained participation.
- Older men maintain higher gambling rates throughout life, consistent participation across age groups.
Women Age Criteria:
- Women generally begin gambling later in life. Most start during their twenties or thirties.
- Women’s gambling peaks around age 30 or older. Later onset with different motivational factors.
- Women over 60 show equal problem gambling rates. Late-life gambling issues become more prominent.
Types of Gambling Activities
Men and women have distinctly different preferences when it comes to gambling activities, reflecting deeper psychological and social differences between the genders.
| Activity Type | Preferred By | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Betting, Poker | Men | More risk-taking and competitive games |
| Lotteries, Slot Machines | Women | Often less aggressive and more routine |
| Online Gambling | Men | Includes sports betting and e-sports |
| Land-Based Gambling | Women | Bingo, casinos, and electronic machines |
Source: NYCPG, Barnes 2010
Men typically gravitate toward games that involve skill, strategy, and competition, while women often prefer games of chance that provide routine entertainment.
The rise of online gambling has particularly benefited male participation, as digital platforms cater to their types of casino games that emphasize competition and skill-based elements.
Sports Betting: A Major Gender Gap
Sports betting represents the largest gender disparity in gambling activities, with men dominating participation across all categories.
| Sports Betting Statistics | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| General Sports Betting | 28% | 12% |
| Online Problem Sports Betting | 98% | 2% |
| Fantasy League Gambling (College) | 13% | <1% |
| Think Sports Betting is Harmless | 54% | 31% |
The sports betting gender gap reflects cultural patterns around sports engagement and risk tolerance. Men’s dominance in this area is so strong that 98% of online problem sports bettors are male, highlighting the particular risks this gambling type poses for men.
This difference is important for countries that allow sports betting. In legal gambling countries, governments allow individuals to bet on these sports.
According to the UK Gambling Commission data, young men have more gambling problems than young women. The study found that 0.9% of boys had gambling problems compared to only 0.1% of girls.
Sources: NYCPG 2019-2021, UK Gambling Commission 2023
Why Do Men and Women Gamble?
The motivations behind gambling differ between men and women. They have different psychological and social factors, as shown in the table.
| Reason | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Excitement & Risk | Yes | Less common |
| Competition | Yes | Rare |
| To Win Money | Yes | Yes |
| Emotional Escape or Coping | Rare | Very common |
| Social Connection (e.g., Bingo) | Less common | Often |
Men often gamble for the thrill and competitive aspect, while women frequently use gambling as emotional regulation or social connection.
More interestingly, Kerry Packer, who is one of the world’s richest gamblers ever. He perfectly shows how men like taking risky gambling games. His main favorite games were Baccarat and Blackjack, which are both high-stakes casino games.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Problem Gambling?
While both genders can struggle with gambling addiction, men are statistically more likely to face serious problems.
In the U.S., 14% of men show problem gambling behaviors versus only 3% of women, according to FHE Rehab. This extends to college populations, where gambling participation remains high but shows similar gender patterns.
Among college students, 91% of men gamble, while 84% of women participate, but men develop problems at much higher rates.
Source: FHE Rehab
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Conclusion: Men Gamble 2x Times More Than Women
Men significantly outpace women in gambling participation and problems. They are twice the rate of women in gambling participation activities.
The gender gap is most pronounced in sports betting, where men represent 98% of problem online bettors. Women, on the other hand, gamble to focus on social connection and emotional coping.
Many times, among older adults (60+), women show equal or higher rates of gambling problems. However, these gaps may be closing in a few years, for both online and offline gambling.
FAQs
Men gamble at much higher rates. Men are twice as likely to engage in frequent gambling (28% vs 13%) and have twice the rate of problem gambling.
Men typically start gambling earlier and reach peak gambling rates by age 18-19. Women start later and don’t reach peak gambling until age 30 or older.
Men prefer sports betting, card games, and games of skill. Women prefer bingo, lottery, slot machines, and other low-risk games where they can relax.
Sports betting shows the biggest gender gap. 28% of men bet on sports compared to only 12% of women. 98% of online problem sports bettors are male.
Women over 60 have gambling problem rates equal to or higher than men in the same age group. Women over 75 are especially targeted by gambling marketing.
