The internet is rapidly changing the gambling industry worldwide. Advances in technology and living habits are shifting more people away from physical casinos and into online gaming rooms. While part of the shift can be attributed to the economic downturn, there are numerous other reasons why people choose to play their hand online and why casinos are so eager to accommodate them.
Economics of the Casino
Unlike physical locations, online casinos can quickly scale their operation exponentially. To accommodate twice the amount of players doesn’t require them to build more rooms or tables, but rather make sure their software can handle the increased influx of players. The cost of acquiring one new customer can also be much cheaper than cost of getting someone to visit a physical location as online marketing allows casinos to pinpoint their customers with precision.
Convenience for Players
The internet brings the casino right into people’s homes. Online casinos mean players can now play 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without the hassle of driving to a potentially distant location. Players can save on costly accommodation, food, drinks and travel costs. For the first time someone can be gambling in their pyjamas or while sitting in front of their TV while the ads are on.
Learn to Play on Free Games and Tutorials
Casinos with physical locations can often be an intimidating place for people who don’t know the rules and aren’t prepared to learn them while sitting at a table with gamblers who clearly know what they’re doing. Sites like Euro Palace casino online provide free tutorials and players can try them out without putting in their own money.
Technology
Technology has made online casinos a feasible business as new programs and software make online gambling secure and reliable. The growth of personal computers, tablets and smartphones means people can have access to casinos on the go and anywhere in the world. The increasing speed of broadband means a large number of players can play against each other in real time and don’t have to suffer the slow connection speeds that plagued users in the past.
Access to a Wider Market
Location based casinos are limited in the amount of players they can bring in due to their geographical constraints, whereas online casinos have the ability to reach people anywhere in the world as long as they have a computer and an internet connection. Through online advertising casinos can now directly promote their casinos to a large number of people in their homes. Emerging markets around the world are also opening them up to revenue streams which previously weren’t attainable.
Affiliate Marketers
Online casinos undertake their own marketing however many also have an army of online marketers promoting their casinos in return for a cut of revenue gained from introduced players. By setting up an affiliate program, online casinos can reach a far greater number of customers and only have to pay their affiliates out of the players’ losses.
Entertainment
Most people use their computers and mobile devices for entertainment purposes – online gambling is another form of entertainment that players can choose to spend their time on. The entertainment factor of playing with real money and potential winning big makes it a strong contender with other forms of entertainment that people can get through their devices.
Impulse
When someone has the impulse to gamble they can instantly fulfill the need. When someone sees an advertisement for a physical casino they may have the desire to visit, however that impulse will soon wear off as time passes. When someone is presented with the opportunity to play online then they can be up and running in minutes.
Variety
The variety of games that an online casino can offer is endless. Different variations of games or entirely new games can be devised and created on the fly. Offering a variety of games is a huge advantage to casinos, who can continue to introduce new games to keep players interested and coming back. The use of well-designed interfaces and graphics also holds players attention, engages them more and makes them play for longer.
Written by Gareth Monet.