Gambling Considered Socially Acceptable
After decades of being viewed as a dubious pastime, gambling is finally considered to be a socially acceptable hobby. Not only is gambling no longer frowned upon by society at large, the more enlightened attitude to participating in games of chance has allowed more women to start enjoying a flutter now and again – something that was largely unheard of even thirty years ago.
It’s hard to imagine that sexism ever played any serious role in the world of gambling, but it wasn’t very long ago that having a bet was viewed as a largely male tendency. Men, of course, have been betting on sporting events and games of chance for centuries. Whether it was cards, dice, horse racing or having a wager on which of two men could run around a block of buildings in the fastest time, men have always been attracted to the idea of risking a little money in the hope of winning a profit.
Women have probably been attracted to that same notion for just as long as men, but until the advent of internet gambling, relatively few indulged. Yes, bingo halls have been particularly popular among women for a fair amount of time, but men have traditionally outnumbered women in offline casinos and betting shops. And because much of society tended to view betting as just one more ‘nasty habit’ that men insisted on keeping, women were silently encouraged to avoid being associated with the world of gambling.
Fortunately the world has moved on, and such sexism in gambling is no longer an issue. The ability to boot up a PC, log onto the internet and visit a casino, play at an online poker room or bingo hall, or have a bet at a sportsbook site (all in complete privacy) has really been a boon for women everywhere. Statistics from many online casino operators suggest that women are now just as likely as men to sign up, claim their welcome bonus and enjoy some online casino gaming action.
The success of the National Lottery in the UK has also helped to make gambling more socially acceptable. Lottery pundits reveal that around 70% of adults in the UK play lottery games on a regular basis, and that in itself has made people more aware of the fact that gambling can be a perfectly enjoyable pastime that adds a welcome bit of additional excitement to our day to day lives.
As a result of all this social enlightenment, gambling is no longer viewed as the nasty habit that vicars used to warn their parishioners about. High street bookmakers are now allowed to let people see through windows (they used to be closed off in case a glimpse at betting slips corrupted those passing by), offline casinos are being visited as perfectly acceptable centres of entertainment and the gambling industry is permitted to advertise its wares openly via television and the print media.
We here at Gamble.co.uk are of course delighted that gambling is at last considered socially acceptable, but we are even more pleased with the fact that men and women can now indulge in their urge to have a flutter with equal freedom. It look a long time to happen, but as the saying goes, better late than never.
Article Published: 18/05/2010 14:54:10
