The internet has only been around for the past two decades, and in that time, it has revolutionized almost every industry. The gambling sector is among the niches that have adopted the technology superbly, changing the distribution and consumption of games. Numerous factors propel the quick rise of online games dominating over their brick-and-mortar counterparts, and here we delve into five of the most significant ones.
Convenience
The practicality of online gambling is unparalleled compared to location-based gaming. With land-based casinos, players have to seek out the establishments physically to enjoy gameplay. On the other hand, online gaming clubs bring the services to the punters and can be summoned with a few clicks. The comfort of playing anywhere and anytime is amplified when accessing the services from smartphones and tablets. Here we are going to take a look at some upsides, thanks to which online casinos are currently the most convenient gaming access points.
No download
Most online casino games today do not require any app or software installation to run. Free slots no download and other casino sets use HTML5 technology to ensure they are cross-platform and run on almost any operating system and web browser. This upside makes online games convenient not only against land-based options but also traditional flash-supported ones that demand the installation of a flash player to run. Adobe has since stopped supporting the software, pushing the shift to HTML5 tech. Also, download games are dwindling as people prefer to preserve mobile and PC storage space.
Internet connectivity
Traditional mobile phones and PCs did not stand a chance against brick-and-mortar casinos due to the lack of internet access. The gadgets have significantly been modified ever since web access became allowed where most games are available. Also, most jurisdictions invest in internet services, meaning one does not have to travel to play online casinos. Data plans have also become cheaper over the years.
Affordability
The prevalent use of mobile devices has led to a significant drop in their price tags to become an everybody commodity. Players can purchase smartphones and tablets for as low as $100 with the hardware and software capabilities to support online gameplay. Punters also have the option of high-end flagship devices with outstanding technological advances like 8K resolution, foldable screens, and VR support for over $1,500. Whichever budget one has to work with, there is most likely a wide range of mobile options for them to choose from. The same evolution is present with PC devices, as laptops and desktops adopt better performance for more affordable price tags.
Suitable size
Smartphones and tablets are built in a convenient size and shape to fit easily in pockets and bags. That way, the users can carry them almost anywhere and have access to gambling services anytime. Players can whip out their phones and enjoy a couple of gameplay sessions and quickly put them away once they are done. The same case applies to modern laptops that adopt lighter and slimmer designs for the convenience of being carried around.
Rechargeable batteries
The portability of smartphones is rooted in their use of rechargeable batteries that require about an hour or so of charging and can last for more than 24 hours, depending on the device. Without the limitation of being stuck in one location, punters can bring their favorite games wherever they go. Even if the power runs out, smartphones can be recharged using power banks that are small and convenient to carry around. Laptop users also enjoy the upsides of rechargeable batteries and portable power banks.
Free and real money options
Nearly all online casino games come in free and real money versions that mirror each other. Free slots to play for fun and other sets have in-built fake credits that function as stakes in the place of actual cash. The demo games allow players not willing to place money on the line to enjoy the thrill of gambling. The sets also come in handy during the selection process before singling out the perfect game worthy of cash wagers. The real money versions accommodate a wide range of bets, starting as low as a penny and going as high as $250,000 depending on the game. Live dealer games are the only exceptions that run in cash versions only.
Wide Game Choice Range
The games featured in brick-and-mortar casinos are usually limited to the floor space. However, the virtual nature of the internet allows their online counterparts to hold an unlimited number of games. Not only can online casinos feature thousands of sets in their portfolios, but players can also walk their virtual feet in and out of gambling dens with a few clicks. The games featured in the casinos fall under different categories to suit varying player needs, and here are some of them.
Slots
Slot machines are the center of attraction in the online casino niche, drawing in more numbers than any game category. The sets date back to the 19th century, but back then, they were nothing more than pastimes in bars and salons that paid in food and drink. Slots’ popularity is rooted in the simplicity of their gameplay, involving only selecting a stake and spinning the reels. Even with this similarity cutting across them, they vary in their betting limits, bonus features, and payouts, making each one unique. Popular online pokies include Fishin’ Frenzy Megaways, 9 Pots of Gold, Age of the Gods: Book of Dwarves, Immortal Romance Mega Moolah, Piggy Bank Bills, and Chaos Crew.
Roulette
Roulette is a classic game that got even more considerable traction with the rise of online gaming. This 16th-century set has been reinvented in numerous variations that fall into two categories. The most popular is European Roulette, which plays with a 37-pocket wheel (numbers 1 – 36 and a single zero). The second variation is American Roulette, featuring 38 pockets on its wheel due to the addition of a double-zero. The rules and odds of these sets act as the basis for roulette games in online and live lobbies like Speed Roulette, Common Draw Roulette, Auto Roulette, Immersive Roulette, French Roulette, and VIP roulette.
Blackjack
Blackjack is another casino classic that has been around since the 17th century. The game comes in different versions, but they all require punters to get a card value of 21 or close before the house. Popular variations of the set include:
| Double Exposure | Both of the dealer’s cards are dealt face-up |
| Perfect Pairs | Punters win a side bet if they land two cards with a similar suit or color |
| Blackjack Switch | One can switch the second cards of two hands to improve their value |
| Lucky Sevens | Gamblers win a side bet if two cards are valued seven |
| Multihand Blackjack | Gameplay supports multiple hands that can be up to five depending on the casino |
| Blackjack Surrender | Players can give up their cards and get half the placed wager back |
| Spanish 21 | Doubling after splitting is allowed, and one can surrender after doubling |
Baccarat
Baccarat is a simple table game that requires punters to support the Banker or Player depending on who they think has a higher card value. The two to nine cards are worth their face value, while aces are worth one point. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are not in the account. No Commission Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, and Punto Banco are popular versions of the game.
Poker
Poker is a card game that requires some skill and wit to win, even if there is a lot of luck involved. During gameplay, punters bet that the value of their hand is greater than that of others at the table. Other gamblers must either match or raise the stake or fold and drop out. The highest-valued hand wins. There are different versions of poker like Oasis Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Texas Hold’em, Three-Card Poker, and Let It Ride.
Video poker
Video poker is a hybrid of slot and poker games, and it has been around since the 1980s. Players win by getting valuable poker hands, but cards appear randomly on the screen like slot symbols. Versions of the game available in casinos include Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Bonus Poker, Tens or Better, and Double Bonus Poker.
Live game shows
Live casinos give players a taste of authentic, real-life gambling streamed to mobile and PC gadgets. Table games like roulette, poker, and blackjack are frequent in numerous variations. Another popular category is game shows that play like Vegas-style sets, including Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, Mega Ball, Lightning Dice, Crazy Time, and Deal or No Deal.
Bonuses and Promotions
Few niches master the art of bonus provision like the online gaming industry. While playing in brick-and-mortar casinos comes with perks like free drinks and food, the incentives in online gambling dens refer to actual cash. Nearly every website uses them to involve players in creating accounts and depositing real money. While each site has its own unique set of bonuses, they often fall into the following categories:
- No deposit bonuses – often the first incentives players receive, no deposit offers require no cash commitment to activate. They are granted as a few free spins or a small cash amount.
- Welcome bonuses – new players are incentivized to cash into their accounts with matchups or fixed cash prizes often accompanied by free spins or chips. The welcome packages can cover one to ten of the initial cash-ins.
- Reload offers – casinos encourage players to bring back their business with reload incentives consisting of match promotions, free spins, or cashbacks.
- High roller bonuses – players committing higher amounts than the regular gamer often receive bigger bonuses.
- Loyalty programs – a long-term commitment to a casino is often rewarded through a VIP scheme where perks get better the higher one climbs.
The Visual and Entertainment Appeal
Humankind’s imitation of life has evolved from cave paintings to AI integrated into everyday life. Online games benefit significantly from these advancements, allowing players to rediscover gaming entertainment. One such appealing element of playing online is the integration of Virtual Reality. VR is slowly being pushed in the right direction to kick-start a domino effect. With this technology, players are immersed in a computer-generated world covering their field of view with images stitched together using complex programs. Smart gloves, joysticks, and other tools allow gamers to interact with these worlds. Several game developers have released sets accessible using the tech, including;
- Sprinkles
- Necromancer
- Art of the Heist
- Dracula’s Family
- Jack and the Beanstalk
- Gonzo’s Quest
A Variety of Cashier Channels
The internet has revolutionized the finance sector as much as it has the gaming industry. When playing online, punters have a variety of payment channels to use when cashing in and out of casino accounts. Most gaming sites partner with reliable banking methods with provably secure systems and friendly charges. PayPal, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, Neorsurf, Trustly, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, and Paysafecard are popular options. Online casinos also embrace cryptocurrencies as real money bets, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Litecoin.
Final Comments
Each player’s reasons for accessing games online are different, but these five are undeniably consistent in almost all cases. Gaming online is only bound to get better with time, which will drive more masses to join the gambling world.