A new study from researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway has examined the differences between men and women’s preferences for online gambling.
The research team analyzed a sample of nearly 200,000 participants regarding their gambling behavior. The results found men and women had differences in the type of games they prefer as well as their motivations for gambling. Women were more likely to participate in simpler games, such as slots and bingo, that do not require prior knowledge or advanced skills to play, whereas men preferred strategic and skills-based games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette. Additionally, women were more likely to participate in gambling activities centered around social interaction. On the other hand, men were more likely to engage in competition-based games.
As the prevalence of online gambling activities continues to increase, the research team stresses the need for policy interventions that reflect the diverse motivations and preferences for gambling between men and women. They believe that if both private and public stakeholders recognize these differences, they can work to promote healthy gambling behaviors for everyone regardless of their personal preferences.