Do Any Statistics Show If More Women than Men Play Video Poker?

Are statistics available that would show, with regard to video poker machines, the percentage of players who are female versus percentage of men players?

We’ve never seen any statistics that break it down specifically.

Much of the general data revolve around compulsive gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling’s Fact Sheet says that women begin gambling later than men, but seem to develop problems more quickly. Also, women engage in fewer types of gambling, preferring machines over table games. Some states field more help-line calls from women than men.

In a statewide survey in Oregon, for example, among compulsive gamblers, women outnumbered men gamblers 32,000 to 29,000.

In another study from the Beaver State, a team from Oregon State University Cascades found that the most common profile of a slot and video poker player was a female homeowner between the ages of 55 and 60 with at least some college education and an annual household income of more than $55,000. Of the women slot players surveyed, 52% also played video poker and 24% video blackjack.

The study, published in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management in 2013, mentioned some general differences between male and female slot players. “Women are more into functional motives — the social experience, the excitement, and the fun. Men tend to look more at the financial rewards. They want to make money.”

That could explain one gender difference that's fairly well-known: Most video poker advantage players are male.

Anecdotal evidence includes the view from younger (Millennial) casino customers who consider machines, including video poker, as antisocial, non-intuitive, and boring. Both male and female “next-gens” insist that machines are “an older-female activity.”

Indeed, Wilma Faust, a VP aficionado and friend of Jean and Brad Scott's and ours, says that as women get older, there are more women video poker players, since they live longer than men!

However, Wilma also agrees with Jean Scott that in general, VP play is balanced between men and women. When we tried to pressure Jean into choosing one over the other, she said, "I couldn't. It's a toss-up."

What do you guys say? Does it seem to you that there are more women or men video poker players?

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Jackie Oct-16-2017

Poker

As a woman VP player I play for the strategy of the game and not for "entertainment" although the slots I play are for the entertainment simply because all slots outside of VP operate on the same house advantage of about 14% so the entertainment makes me feel like I'm getting something for my percentage loses like paying to see a movie.  However, my main love is live poker whereas video poker is a boredom activity or a waiting for a live poker seat to open up activity. The point of the QOD was the ratio of male to female players and based upon casual observation I would have to agree that it is a tossup but I think the statistics are flawed as I've noticed women of all age groups playing VP with no age group dominating. Not to mention your statistical quotes are from groups and organizations relegated to problem gambling without any reference to non problem gaming.  Attending any women's live poker tournament and asking them about VP would be very revealing.

O2bnVegas Oct-16-2017

Who plays more VP?

I observe VP being played equally by gender, but perhaps changing in favor of slots (kind of off-topic, sorry).  

I was a die-hard VP player for decades, thought slots were boring.  But the landscape is changing and so have my preferences.  Video slots have become more interesting; the casinos have worked the VP craze to their advantage, e.g steadily declining pay schedules, tighter machines (it seems like), fewer comp points earned on VP than on slot play.  For the first time I am giving slots equal or more play.  But I digress.

Stats from problem/compulsive gambler support organization might be skewed by who is willing to self-report.  Gender info might be obtained from those casino surveys they send out after customer play and/or hotel stays.  They include that same demographic data, M/F, age, education, income, etc., but also what game(s) the respondent plays.  But, depends on how many respond to surveys, and if casinos are willing to disclose the data.

[email protected] Oct-16-2017

My Experience

Obviously this is anecdotal only, however, when I play I'd say 70-80% of the players around me are male.  This could be that I play $2 machines - perhaps more women play lower denomination machines?  It isn't unusual for people near me to be playing $5 and even $10.

Roy Furukawa Oct-16-2017

I get it

I totally get that more men are advantage VP players than women and not just because they want to win, but I also think men like the technical aspects of the thinking involved that goes into being a VP advantage player. It's not just pressing buttons like casual/non players think it is.

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