Online Casino vs. Land-Based Casino
Before the age of the internet, gamblers were forced to travel to brick-and-mortar casinos to partake in their favorite slots and table games. While land-based casinos certainly have their allure, there is no denying the convenience and appeal of online casinos. Since the launch of the first online casino in 1994, internet gambling has seen massive success.
Seasoned gamblers everywhere are turning in their players' club cards in favor of virtual casino accounts that can be accessed anywhere the internet is available.
While online and land-based casinos have many similarities, there are several distinct differences that can make all the difference in terms of game selection and ease of play. Here are just a few ways online casinos differ from their land-based counterparts.
Atmosphere
The change in atmosphere is one of the most noticeable differences between online and land-based casinos. Brick-and-mortar casinos can be a little overwhelming. The music, smoke, game sounds, people, and even the smells can trigger a sensory overload. The social aspect of land-based gambling is not for everyone. For those who prefer to play at their own pace and in privacy, online casinos are the ultimate choice. Play slots while lounging on your couch or partake in blackjack during your lunch break at work. Online casinos make it possible to play anywhere, anytime.
Travel Costs
Unless you happen to live in Nevada or another area where casinos are plentiful, you may be hard luck to find a decent land-based establishment without doing some traveling. You may need to drive just 20 minutes to reach your destination, or it may take several hours, depending on your location. Either way, you can count on having to pay for extras like gas and food. If you’re far from home, you may even need to get plane tickets and hotel accommodations just to gamble for a few days. This can really eat into your profits. With online gambling, you don’t even need to leave your house to enjoy access to literally thousands of your favorite casino games.
Profitability
Speaking of profits, did you know that revenue generated by online casinos exceeds the profits of land-based casinos? According to Technavio analysts, the online gambling market should reach $4 billion by 2020 in the U.S. alone. With more and more online casinos popping up online every day, the profitability of online casinos has nowhere to go but up.
Game Selection
Online casinos are better when it comes to game selection, bar none. Land-based casinos can range in size, and some establishments have thousands of games to choose from. However, the online gaming community is massive. In addition to an abundance of slot games, you can find nearly any table game you want in some online casinos. A quick search can connect you to a website that offers your favorite games, which is not always possible with traditional casinos. Do note that many software companies design slot games specifically for website use. So, the slots you find in land-based casinos may not be available online and vice-versa.
Bonuses
The differences between bonuses available in online casinos compared to land-based are huge. Do not expect to walk into a traditional casino and receive instant perks like a deposit match or bonus cash. While you may receive bonuses when you first sign up for a player’s club card, this is often just a one-time deal. Bonuses are plentiful in the online gambling community. Many online gambling websites will provide a 100% match for your initial deposit up to a certain limit and deliver other fun perks to get you excited about playing. Claiming these bonuses are as easy as clicking a button. However, like land-based casinos, there may be some wagering requirements involved.
Jackpots
Jackpots in online casinos are known for offering considerably higher payouts than most jackpots found in land-based casinos. Even progressive jackpots, which build over time as more people play, are noticeably lower in traditional casino venues. Online casinos know they do jackpots better, and you can often find the biggest jackpot amounts proudly displayed in a prominent place on these websites. When you win an online jackpot, you win big.
Free Play
Try walking into a land-based casino and asking to play for free. You’ll likely be turned away in a hot minute. However, these rules don’t apply in online casinos. In fact, many gambling websites want you to play for free and will even give you free money to do so. Whether your promotional offer is in the form of free spins or credits deposited directly into your account, it’s easy to start playing your favorite casino games immediately without spending any of your own cash. These free play offers are great for people who are new to online gambling and want to try it out risk-free.
Start Playing
Still not convinced? Try online gambling for yourself. It takes just a few moments to create an account at one of the countless reliable gambling websites. Be sure to take advantage of bonuses and special promotions offered to you at sign-up. Just like land-based casinos, many online casinos also offer VIP programs where you can receive special gifts and rewards from time to time. It likely won’t take long before you make online casinos your go-to gambling source.
