Women now make up more than half of casino workers; however, it remains uncommon to see women operating casinos directly.
This book explores the diverse group of women working in Nevada’s casino industry. Beginning with housekeepers and cocktail waitresses, Chandler and Jones move through housekeeping staffers, cocktail waitresses, managers, union activists and finally union activists as they provide a multidimensional portrait of casino staffing.
Dealers
Women have made significant strides in casino operations over recent years. From entering as employees to filling some of the highest profile roles within iGaming – including CEO roles like Lydia Barbara and Ebba Arnred’s companies – women are increasingly dominating in this space.
The authors conducted a convenience sample of 509 Australian women who were asked about their gambling participation, product preferences, and perceived harms. The results demonstrated that women gamble on more products than previously anticipated; younger women in particular gambling on more chance-based products than previously believed while reporting reduced levels of perceived harms associated with these products.
Housekeepers
Women in casino gaming have emerged as an undeniable force, and that momentum only continues to build. Ranging from high-profile forecasters to respected entrepreneurs, women are revolutionizing industry norms and expectations. Pragmatic Play’s Sherry Amos stands as an excellent example of one such female leader making waves within iGaming industry.
A convenience sample of 509 women was surveyed to investigate gambling behavior, product preferences, and perceptions of harm for four Australian gambling products: casino gambling, EGMs, horse betting and sports betting. Results indicate significant disparities in gambling behavior and perceived harm between different groups of women, demonstrating the need for gendered approaches in research and policy development regarding gambling.
Waitresses
Las Vegas casinos were experiencing explosive growth throughout the 1960s and 70s, drawing in a predominantly male clientele that required attractive women to fill various roles such as cocktail waitresses or exotic dancers to attract them and draw them into gambling. These women served to entertain clients and draw them closer into gambling activities.
Even under the restrictive rules of casino gaming, several women took it upon themselves to become expert casino gamers and make themselves known – these women became known as Faro Ladies and hosted private faro card games at home.
This research investigates how female casino industry participation has evolved over time and what that entails for future gaming activities. Furthermore, gender differences were explored regarding product engagement; younger women were significantly more likely to gamble multiple products simultaneously.
Managers
Though the casino industry still faces challenges regarding equal treatment of women, some pioneering casino leaders have emerged to pave the way forward. One such pioneer is Nicky Senyard, founder and CEO of Income Access which provides innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. She has opened new frontiers technologically while simultaneously helping women advance in corporate environments.
Casino Women offers an original perspective on corporate gaming through the eyes of women working within it. Through extended interviews with maids, cocktail waitresses, cooks, laundry workers, dealers, pit bosses and managers within gaming empires such as those run by Las Vegas Sands Corporation – maids, cocktail waitresses, cooks, laundry workers, dealers pit bosses and managers- the book explores how these women assert their humanity within such an inhumane industry driven solely by profits. Casino Women draws its inspiration from black Southern migrants working the card dealers whom the authors admire; these workers possessing family-like bonds absent among middle managers or unorganized card dealers who operate under similar corporate control of casino empires.
Executives
Women in casino gaming’s upper ranks are increasing, yet female CEOs remain far below industry norms.
Recent research indicates that female gamblers vary considerably with regards to frequency, product preferences and perceptions of harm depending on age. Therefore, it is imperative that these differences are taken into consideration when developing and implementing gendered approaches to gambling regulation and prevention.
Chandler and Jones provide an accurate yet respectful portrait of women working in Nevada’s major gambling industry, from housekeepers to cocktail waitresses and union activists. Additionally, they profile several management-level women challenging male-dominated gaming; among these is Amy Howe from FanDuel as CEO as well as Jette Nygaard-Andersen from Entain who both make appearances.
