Land-Based vs. Online Casinos – Which is Better for You?
Posted by Harry Kane on Tuesday, January 25, 2022
There’s no doubt that online gambling has become increasingly popular through the digital age, accounting for more than 38% of the total UK marketplace as of September 2021.
However, land-based casinos remain a popular, albeit dwindling, part of the UK landscape, and many older gamblers still prefer to wager their hard-earned cash offline. What’s more, there are suggestions that the upcoming Gambling Review in the UK will make favourable provisions for offline casinos, while cracking down on virtual and online operations.
But what are the pros and cons of each option, and is online gambling really the best way to wager and bet in 2023? Let’s find out!
Online Gambling – The Pros and Cons
Let’s start with the iGaming market, which is chock-full of exciting brands and becoming increasingly competitive with every passing year. Here are the advantages and potential disadvantages of gambling online:
The Pros
Online Gambling is Accessible
This is a huge boon for online gambling, as virtual casinos are accessible to anyone with a functional and secure Internet connection. What’s more, most operators now boast native apps and responsible websites that can be seamlessly accessed using mobile devices. Even those without native apps tend to utilise responsive mobile design principles, enabling platforms to adapt seamlessly to different display sizes and dimensions.
There are Welcome Offers Abound:
As the iGaming market has become increasingly competitive, brands have sought to incentivise new customers with generous welcome offers. These usually take the form of 100% deposit matches up to a predetermined value, while online gamblers can often access a finite number of free spins on the most popular slots. While there are wagering requirements that need to be considered here, such incentives simply aren’t available offline.
Online Gambling is Demonstrably Fair:
All online casino verticals are governed by so-called “Random Number Generators” (RNGs), which guarantee fair and completely random outcomes in individual games. This means that you can enjoy a fair and secure experience when wagering online at a licensed UK casino, despite some of the erroneous articles that you may read online. It also means that you can’t identify patterns or sequences in specific results, which remains a common gambler’s fallacy among online roulette players.
The Cons
Online Casinos Can Cause Isolation:
This is a growing concern among some lobbyists, who feel that the remote nature of online gambling can cause isolation among dedicated players. This is particularly true as mobile gambling becomes more prevalent, with in excess of 50% of players now wagering frequently on the move. While more research needs to be done in this regard, it remains a particular concern among some customers.
There Are Potential Issues with Problem Gambling:
Similarly, some studies have suggested that problem and underage gambling has increased in the age of online and social games. While there isn’t much evidence to suggest that problem gambling has grown exponentially to the number of new players each year, it may be a concern when you consider the increased accessibility of online platforms. Such concerns also explain why the Gambling Review has been enacted, with cross-party Parliamentary groups increasingly focused on legislating within the iGaming market.
What About Brick-and-Mortar Gambling?
OK, we hear you ask, but what about brick-and-mortar gambling? After all, this is fast becoming a minority interest in the UK, but there’s no doubt that offline casinos and sportsbook retain a cult following and corporeal presence nationwide. So, here are some of the pros and cons associated with offline gambling:
The Pros
Offline Gambling is a Social Experience:
Of course, land-based casinos are often diverse entertainment complexes, which help to create undeniably social experiences. This is highly appealing to some, especially those who consider a little gambling to be part of a much bigger night out! From restaurants and bars to comedy clubs and live music venues, casino complexes can be a source of incredibly diverse entertainment options!
There are Opening and Closing Times:
For those who worry about problem gambling, brick-and-mortar outlets offer reassurance as they have fixed opening and closing times. Also, gamblers have to travel to wager offline, while potentially adhering to specific dress codes in addition to making unique opening times. All of these factors help to protect players, as does the fact that there are minimal payment methods available when betting in person.
You Can Forge Friendships with Like-Minded Players:
While online casinos are becoming increasingly authentic and interactive, offline establishments are where you’re more likely to connect with fellow gamblers and forge long-term friendships. There’s certainly a much greater opportunity to engage in social interactions when gambling offline, which can help to assuage feelings of isolation and provide a distraction from the fundamentals of gambling and wagering money.
The Cons
Offline Casinos Lack Diversity:
Sure, brick-and-mortar casinos can feature a wide range of games, but this pales when compared to the sheer number of titles (particularly slots) and verticals available online. This makes it less than ideal for newbies or inexperienced gamblers, particularly fans of online slots. Make no mistake; there are hundreds and thousands of slot titles available online, many of which are themed and manage to borrow heavily from various facets of pop culture.
There’s a Lack of Customer Service:
Online casino brands often live and die by the quality of their customer support, but the same cannot be said for offline establishments. So, you may find the service somewhat underwhelming when gambling in person. At the same time, offline casinos don’t offer the same support or mechanisms to sustain responsible gambling practices, such as actionable deposit and time limits.
Offline Slots Offer Lower Payout:
Slot games dominate the iGaming space, with a growing number of titles carrying a return-to-player (RTP) rate of 96% and above. However, most offline slots offer an RTP of around 90%, meaning that you’ll recoup less of your bankroll for every £1 wagered on average. This is a huge consideration, especially if you’re a casual player with a relatively small bankroll that you’ll want to make the most of.
The Last Word
While there are pros and cons to both gambling channels, there’s no doubt that iGaming offers far greater accessibility and the most generous incentives overall. Similarly, they boast a much wider range of games, making it the ideal starting point for new and inexperienced gamblers.