Since its early beginnings, the gambling sphere had been traditionally dominated by men, including not only the patrons but the employees, too. Even though advertisements for female operators could be seen as early as 1943, mostly thanks to the war, it wasn’t until the 70s that the practice finally made its way to the Vegas strip (and further still).
Female Dealers credit pexels Paval Danilyuk
How It All Started
Nevada’s casinos experienced a lack of workforce after the beginning of the Second World War when the majority of male workers joined the overseas missions. That is why in 1943 the city saw the first ad for a female operator, and in 1971, the first female card dealer was hired. However, the ladies that pioneered in the industry did not have it easy. Shirley Brancucci, the first female baccarat dealer on the Vegas strip, stated that some of the men refused to play if she was calling the game. The beginning was rough, and women at dealer positions suffered unjust treatment from both the patrons and the employers.
The Position of Female Dealers Today
Nowadays, most traditional casinos regularly employ women for the position, and women currently make up 41.8% of casino dealers. The gambling industry now employs more women than any other. This dominance isn’t just noticeable in the traditional brick-and-mortar establishments, but in the online sphere as well. Here, establishments like SkyCity online casino offer live casino games that often have female dealers that are interacting with players, diligently going about their duties and keeping the players honest.
The Effect of Female Dealers
Casinos tend to choose women for the role of dealers because they are often more friendly and approachable than men. Managers are looking to increase the user experience at the venue by hiring pleasant ladies with warm personalities and excellent communication skills. Good physical appearance is another factor considered when choosing new dealers since the players are expected to be more relaxed when they have a chance to share a few laughs with a pleasant-looking woman at the table, even when the odds are against them.
Women as Players
The number of female players started increasing with the rise of online gambling, thanks to its convenience and the variety of games offered. However, women have been interested in many titles, including poker. By 2000, it was obvious that women are starting to make serious moves in the game, especially when it comes to their winnings. In 1995, the famous Barbara Enright was the first woman that ever made it to the final table at the main WSOP event in Vegas, positioning herself in fifth place by the end. Despite the successes achieved by Barbara and other amazing female players, women were still facing setbacks caused by the stigma associated with their presence in casino halls. It took a lot of talent and hard work for women in the past to pave the way for today’s female players. Although there is still room to make things better, the success behind the names like Annette Obrestad, the 2007 winner of The World Series of Poker Europe, and Vanessa Selbst who was the first woman ever to reach number one at the Global Poker Index.
Female Vs. Male Players
Men and women have shown different preferences when it comes to the choice of games to play. Women tend to choose low-risk games that mostly rely on chance, while men are more drawn to strategy-oriented ones where they can affect the odds themselves. In addition to that, women also tend to spend less money on single bets, since they are more pessimistic about winning than men. However, in the case of winning, women are more likely to cash out the first big reward immediately, while mend like to continue gambling, even when things don’t go that great. Moreover, women prefer playing against a dealer, and men, on the other hand, enjoy competing against other players. When it comes to preferred titles, women enjoy playing video slots, online bingo, and lotteries, while most men love table games, online poker, and sports betting.
Women have fought their way to become equally respected in the industry as men, and now we are seeing more and more powerful ladies taking up roles not only as dealers but also as managers and leaders. In Atlantic City, for example, women currently run four out of nine land-based casinos. They also dominate the professional poker scene, with iconic names such as Denise Coates who went even further by starting bet365 and serving as an inspiration for all the women out there who are just starting out.