The percentage of women playing online casino games is growing and the gaming industry is taking notice. Among those watching are game developers who are focusing efforts on creating new slot machines that are specifically female-friendly. By featuring games that women prefer, women players can look forward to the best casino experience possible.
Gaming has traditionally been seen as a male-dominated activity but that perception is changing as increasing numbers of women visit the casino. Female gamers include both budget gamers and high-level VIP players who play at brick-and-mortar casinos and online. What’s driving the shift? How are casinos responding to the changing demographics?
Ladies at the Casino
Even before the 2020 COVID pandemic the world was seeing a surge in online casino gaming. That wave gained traction during the “shelter-at-home” period when people were searching for ways to stay entertained in their homes and women, who were especially affected with new home and family responsibilities, turned to the online casino even more than men.
To date, approximately 30% to 40% of online gamers are women but the percentages are creeping upward as the market – now aware of this new, previously untapped population – works to draw them in.
According to studies, the highest percentage of female online gamblers is in Sweden, followed by the UK, Spain and Italy. Observers believe that one of the factors that’s driving the increase in female gaming involves mobile gambling. Women tend to multi-task more often than men so more women jump into the online casino for a game or two while waiting for a car pool, sitting in the stands at a child’s game or even while waiting for a cake to rise in the oven.
In addition, even in traditional societies where there are certain “expectations” of women and the roles that they are expected to fulfill in society, online gaming gives women the anonymity that they need to enjoy casino gaming without “rocking the boat.”
The rise of social media and targeted advertising plays a significant role in attracting women to online casino gaming. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are making it easier for online casinos to reach out to female audiences by offering offering games and promotions that are specifically designed to appeal to women. These include bingo, themed slots, and virtual scratch cards.
Online slots are immensely popular among female players. Unlike traditional casino games, which often require a certain level of skill and strategy, slots are easy to play and require no prior experience. The colorful graphics, engaging themes, and exciting sound effects make online slots particularly appealing to women who can jump into their casino account at a moment’s notice and play a round or two and then leave, making it easy for them to enjoy their gaming entertainment at their own convenience.
iGaming Industry
Just as women are becoming more involved in online casino gameplay, they are becoming more visible behind the scenes as developers, designers, publishers and in all levels of management of different types of platforms. For example, there are about 6000 people employed in the online gambling sector in Malta, of which 43% are women. A Report by the All-In Diversity Project, a business resource for diversity, equality and inclusion, notes that 28% of the top positions in the Malta gambling sector are held by women.
As more and more women enter the world of online casino gaming, the industry will continue to evolve to meet their needs. The market is expected to increase female-focused advertising campaigns and up the number and variety of games that are designed specifically for women.
Some of the newest and most exciting women-centered online casino games include:
Cleopatra’s Gold, Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold and Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold Deluxe
The Cleopatra’s Gold franchise is an exciting group of slot machines that feature the powerful Cleopatra, one of Egypt’s most successful rulers. The fact that the franchise contains multiple slot machines speaks to its popularity as a woman-centered game, though it’s played by men and women alike.
Cleopatra’ Gold, the first in the series, features animating Cleopatra and Pyramid symbols, a multiplied Wild, free spins and a bonus feature that offers an additional 15 free spins.
Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold offers in-game multipliers, a Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold Free Game Feature, tripled prizes, respins and a progressive jackpot competition.
In the deluxe version of Jackpot Cleopatra’s Gold, Deluxe Jackpot Cleopatra’s gold, top prize is 7,500 times bet per line, scatter wins, multipliers and free spins along with the race for the progressive jackpot prize.
Tarot Destiny
Anyone who ever doubted the power of fortune tellers can explore the subject more thoroughly in the Tarot Destiny slot machine. This slot features the mysterious lady Tarot Card readers, 10 paylines, and 3 Crystal balls with a Hold and Spin feature that activates retriggering free spins. Free spin wins are multiplied and multipliers increase everytime the feature is retriggered.
Enchanted Garden
In the enchanting Enchanted Garden slot, the protagonists are gentle figures who bestow big wins. Get multiple Firefly Princesses on the reels and win seven free spins with possibilities of additional free spins if the firefly symbol appears. All prizes are tripled during the free spins. If a Garden symbol appears on reel 1 with a Fairy Princess appearing on reel 5, the bonus feature is triggered.
Check out girl power at our Grande Vegas online casino!