By looking at the data available, it’s clear that gambling is a popular pursuit worldwide. Overall, it’s an industry worth over $400 billion, with $50 billion generated just from online gambling.
Currently, 26% of the entire population gamble regularly, or 1.6 billion people. For those who gamble at least once per year, this comes to 4.2 billion people. So, what are online casinos doing to rival the lifelike experience offered by land-based casinos?
Firstly, when a new user signs up, they are offered a bonus, just as you’d expect in a real casino. The games offered are usually very realistic, for example, the chance to spin a virtual roulette wheel.
Some games may offer ‘live’ versions, allowing players to interact with the dealer just like they could in a real casino, as well as other gamblers. Tournaments are also usually offered at online casinos.
Are Online Casinos Better than Land-Based Ones?
There are many perks of playing at online casinos instead of land-based ones, including:
- You can enjoy games in the comfort of your home without having to follow the conventions of a real casino, such as a dress code or operating hours.
- No need to fork out travel expenses or other food and drink costs when inside the casino.
- You don’t have to deal with other people, bright lights, noises or other distractions.
- If you do want interaction, you can do this through the live games on offer.
- There are plenty of bonuses to take advantage of at online casinos one you sign up.
- A better range and number of games are offered, which aren’t restricted by operating hours or busy casino floors.
- The return to player (RTP) is usually higher, and games are faster paced.
- Players benefit from knowing the payback percentages, which aren’t available in land-based casinos.
- The bankroll tends to last longer because minimum bets are lower.
- Free games mean new players can practice their skills with less risk of losing money.
- Online casinos can usually be accessed anywhere and are incredibly safe, with the main operators all regulated by a governing body.
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After learning how to win at slots, why not play some games yourself? There are top titles to choose from, including Millionaire Genie, Rainbow Riches, Spartacus and Starburst.
Why Might a Player Choose a Land-Based Casino Instead of Playing Online?
On the flip side, there are also many reasons why players prefer land-based casinos. To begin with, playing in a land-based casino is a more tactile experience. Players have a chance to mingle with others, buy chips and actually spin the reels of the slot machines.
Overall, the pace of play is slower. Plus, players benefit from being able to read others, which is particularly important for games such as poker.
Another significant advantage of playing at a land-based casino is the comps available that aren’t offered at online casinos. They’re basically a tool that casino hosts use to keep players happy, or something that players can apply automatically with a membership card.
Perhaps the most well-known type is a free drink, followed closely by free food, issued in coupon format. The next step up from this is free accommodation, either at the same casino resort or somewhere nearby.
These kinds of comps are so well known in the industry that they have their own abbreviation; ‘RFB’ for ‘room, food and beverage’. Some casinos may also offer to pay for transport to and from the casino for high rollers or frequent players. Entertainment is another form of comp, such as sporting events like golf or shows.
Other reasons why someone may choose to play at a land-based casino include the sheer excitement of being on the casino floor. There’s also the chance to dress up and take part in a ‘James Bond’ type experience and experience the sense of adrenaline while playing.
The architectural appeal is another reason why some frequent land-based casinos instead of playing online. There are attractive and magnificent casinos with stunning landscapes, interesting styles and luxurious interiors all around the world. Some of the most breathtaking include the Casino De Monte Carlo, the Ritz Club in London and the Bellagio in Vegas.
Online Casinos Now Frequently Use RNG Games as Part of their Offering
Online casinos have the edge over land-based casinos by offering games that generate random results, through pseudo-random number generators. This makes it impossible for a player to guess the outcome of a spin or draw.
They are commonly used by virtual games where there is no dealer. They are also used offline for games like blackjack, roulette, keno, video poker and video slots.
With slot games, they work by assigning a value to each symbol on a reel. Therefore, if a machine had 12 symbols per reel and a 5-reel machine, values of between 1 and 12 would be produced for each of the reels, resulting in five different symbols. If these happen to be a winning combination, the player is then paid accordingly.
There are some limitations of RGN games, which results in some players preferring land-based casinos. For example, players may prefer the tactile experience of counting their own cards or playing with real dice.