It used to be that when you wanted to place a few bets, spin the roulette wheel, try your hand at card games, or enjoy other — hopefully profitable — games, you had to head far out of town to the nearest decent casino. Whether it was a relatively local establishment or the world-famous gambling attractions of Las Vegas, it was usually a major trip that involved lots of time, and expense.
Not any more. Just as the internet has changed practically every facet of our lives, delivering goods and services via small screens, so too is the digital realm changing the way we bet and gamble. It’s always going to be fun going to a bricks-and-mortar casino and experiencing the wild atmosphere that can make any trip truly thrilling, but now you can also check out an online live casino, before you go.
And if you decide to stay put, and bet and gamble using a mobile app or website, a world of digital adventure awaits. These days, thanks to a vast improvement in web technology, it’s now possible to interact with a live dealer and play slots in a whole new and vibrant manner. It’s no longer a quiet and impersonal experience, with more casinos opening up online in an exciting way — one that’s available right around the clock.
Online Gambling Explosion
In fact, betting at online casinos has become so popular that a new report predicts the sector will balloon to a hefty $128.2 billion in value by 2026. The study, by Transparency Market Research, underscores how the digital world is changing the way we work and play — more of us are shopping online and ditching the hassle of going to physical stores, and more of us are using websites and apps to play and bet at online casinos.
“The online gambling and betting market is expected to witness a rapid growth rate during the forecast period due to regulatory environment, which in turn is expected to propel the global market across the globe,” says the report. “The global online gambling and betting market is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period,” it says.
Currently, Europe leads the way in online gambling and betting, and is worth around $23 billion; this is followed by the Asia-Pacific region and regulation-heavy North America, the Middle East and Africa, and then Latin America, according to the research.
“The sports betting segment is expected to expand at a considerable pace, owing to the increase in number of sports following,” it says. “Online casino and poker and lottery seem to be attractive, owing to the increase in participation of consumers to earn rewards and offers. Rise in prevalence rate of online gambling is expected to boost social gaming, bingo and fantasy sports over the next few years.”
Popular Online Games
So what are people betting at and playing when they use online live casino apps and websites? If we take gambling-loving Britain as an example, it really is the old favorites — including slot machines, online bingo, blackjack and giving the roulette wheel a virtual spin. Other popular games include baccarat, craps and, of course, poker — no need to keep a straight face when you’re playing online and have a full house.
And can you win at a online live casino, or are the odds in the digital world stacked even higher against you? You have as much chance as if you were at a bricks-and-mortar casino, and, thanks to watchdogs like the UK Gambling Commission — which has introduced new rules, and fines, for online betting operations and casinos — it’s more or less a level playing field.
You just have to know when to end your winning streak and walk away. Or close that app or site.
