Before the internet came along, people traveled to brick-and-mortar casinos to play their favorite games. Whether they excelled at slots or blackjack, leaving home was the only way to get the authentic casino experience. Things began to change in the late-90s and early-2000s as the internet became mainstream. However, the best one could hope for in the early days of the internet were a few pixelated card games and a slot machine here and there. Although these games were fun, they weren’t anything close to the authentic casino experience.
Throughout history, casinos have kept pace with technology, with the internet bringing about one of the biggest changes to casinos in the modern era. People no longer have to travel to play their favorite games. Instead, their computers, smartphones, and tablets transport them to online casinos from the comfort of their own home. Along with tracing the origins of gambling, looking at how the internet has shaped casinos gives us insight into what the future may hold for casino gaming.
Mobile Devices and Apps
Mobile technology has transformed many industries, and the casino industry hasn’t been left behind. Most people spend endless hours using their phones, with gaming accounting for 43% of smartphone use. If you’re a gamer, you’ve probably seen your friends and family playing slots and other casino games on mobile devices.
Gaming is so popular that games account for the majority of app store purchases and downloads. The online casino industry is worth over $ 92 billion, and 26% of the world’s population plays online casino games. Mobile devices allow sports fans to place a bet from anywhere in the world, and casino game lovers can play their favorite games at home in their pajamas if they want to.
Safe and Secure Gaming Experience
While credit card issuance has grown significantly in recent years, in the early days of the internet many people worried about the risks of using them online. You needed money to play in an online casino, which raised security concerns among many games. Today, encrypted payments and other modern technology have calmed these concerns, and gamers worldwide know that spending money on online gaming is safe and secure. As an additional layer of security, many online casinos hold a license, so players know they’re dealing with a legitimate business entity.
Premium Gaming Experience
You’ll find a bigger offering of games in an online casino than you would ever in a brick-and-mortar casino. If you love slots, there are thousands of themed slots available to play 24/7, wherever you are. If card games are more your thing, you can choose from several variations and compete against players worldwide. Game developers are working hard to improve the gaming experience and constantly adding exciting games to keep gamers entertained.
Virtual reality casinos are an immersive experience, where you participate in the games just like you would in a brick-and-mortar casino. All you have to do is strap on your VR headset and walk through the doors of the casino to get started, just like you would do in the real world. VR casinos take the gaming experience to the next level, allowing you to travel to Las Vegas or Monte Carlo without leaving home.
These casinos have bars where you can sit down and have a drink with other players, card tables, slot machines, roulette tables, and just about everything else you could imagine that captures the entire casino gaming experience. Virtual casino gaming is still in its infancy and will only improve as technology improves.
Cryptocurrency
If you’re a crypto enthusiast, you’ll be happy to know that many online casinos accept payment in cryptocurrencies. Paying with cryptocurrency is another secure form of payment since all transactions are recorded on the blockchain. In fact, many people believe that crypto casinos may just be the future of gambling.
