Are online casinos better than the land-based casinos? While it is still an on-going argument, it is crucial to understand that both have an established significance in the casino market.
People who want to experience the thrill of gambling from the comfort of their home, online gambling is their best option. Yet, some would argue that online gambling can hardly mirror the experience of a land-based casino. Well, land-based casinos have got their back!
Fueled by statistics and various initiatives to broaden regulatory frameworks to include internet gambling, the debate has us questioning it as well.
Let’s look at the arguments for and against online and offline gambling.
Online Casinos: Aiming to Take Over
We are living in a digital age and online casinos have been positioning themselves as a popular form of entertainment since the late 90s. People turn to gambling to relieve stress and relax, and the digitalization of their favorite gambling games has facilitated that even more.
Imagine having a stressful job that involves lots of human interaction, noise and servicing. When you come home, it makes sense that you want to load a gambling website where you won’t have to face people, look at flashy lights, follow a dress code and mind working hours.
You can launch any game you like, sit back in your comfy chair, relax and play for hours without interruptions and distractions.
Convenience and Safety
The combination of convenience and accessibility of online casinos for real money is definitely one aspect that makes them superior to land-based venues. You don’t have to travel to a gambling location or spend money on gas and time.
Instead, when you are in front of your computer or have your mobile device in hand, you have arrived at the casino and can start playing any time of day or night.
That’s all fine and dandy, but are online casinos safe? Unfortunately, money attracts scammers, and online gambling environments are particularly attractive for such dishonest operations. Luckily, reputable online casinos know how to deal with this concern.
While hackers pose a threat to the safety of online casinos and their patrons, security technologies like monitoring, encryption, updates and firewalls successfully counter such malicious intents.
Playing at a land-based casino several decades ago used to involve a lot of complimentary gifts and perks. Well, not anymore, as major Las Vegas casinos nowadays require players to spend a lot of moolah to receive a treat.
At online casinos, you just need to register an account and make your first deposit and you are in bonus paradise. However, the competition in the web gambling business is huge already – and getting tighter by the day.
That’s why online casino gamblers are showered with all sorts of offers, including no deposit bonuses, match percentage bonuses, free slot tournaments, giveaways, refer-a-friend bonuses and more. The best you can hope for at traditional casinos is usually a free drink after playing for hours.
Since drinking and gambling are usually not the best combinations, you are typically better off seeking bonuses online than any land-based freebie.
Potential for higher wins and more games to enjoy
Statistically, game variety and game quantity favor online casinos. New online casino websites can offer thousands of games 24/7, while land-based casino floors usually host dozens of table games and a few hundred machines with operating hours restrictions.
Moreover, online gambling games’ Return To Player (RTP) are higher than traditional games’ return rates at physical casinos.
Overall, betting at traditional casinos is more costly, as it involves travel expenses and spending money on expensive dinners and beverages. But, of course, only some people live around the corner from the MGM Grand, right?
Land-Based Casinos: Holding Their Ground
Land-based casinos, while being affected by the spread of online casinos, aren’t going anywhere just yet. However, physical casinos remain consequential in the minds of those who are more for a tactile experience, who enjoy mingling with other gamblers, buying chips, and spinning the reels of a slot machine.
Considering the history of land-based casinos in the USA, it is hard to imagine they could ever be replaced.
Environment and Ambience
There is something very exciting about the casino floor atmosphere. Sure, it involves loud surroundings and flashy lights, with clouds of smoke above the tables, but isn’t that excitement what makes one feel alive? Many people also enjoy the fact that they can dress up for the casino night out.
Nowadays, you don’t have to be a high roller to visit a casino establishment. Instead, you can be an average Joe with a pair of fancy pants and a jacket and stroll into any of the Nevada casinos, feel like a gentleman and have the time of your life at the James Bond-style baccarat table.
The pressure at land-based casinos is heightened, as any move can provoke cheers and jeers from the table-mates. If you can handle it, you will feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins each time the dealer signals your turn.
Be careful, as some fellow players may call themselves experts offering advice on how you should pay things out. Unfortunately, they won’t give you chips for listening to, so it is probably best to follow your strategy and money management plan.
Still, it is understandable why many gambling fans switch to websites due to their high convenience, cost-effectiveness and privacy guarantees, among other advantages.
