The Internet of Change: Why Online Gambling is Now a British Pastime
The Internet is taking over everything. Thanks to its global reach, easy access and ability to cross boundaries, the Internet has changed and will continue to change our lives. Today, everything from the way we consume movie content to our preferred method for connecting with friends is done online, and it now seems that we also prefer to gamble online.
Although the iGaming industry isn't new, the ever-increasing presence of the Internet has turned it into a highly lucrative industry. From a few fledging sites back in the late nineties to thousands of platforms across the world, the online casino industry has become a truly international entertainment medium. However, according to the stats, the UK is leading the way in terms of online activity.
Online Overtakes Live Gaming
"He’s Home" (CC BY 2.0) by Chrisbkes
While live casinos are still popular, the UK Gambling Commission has found that 33 percent of all betting in the UK now takes place online. Whether it's via a desktop computer, a smartphone or tablet, players are now logging into all manner of online casinos for some gaming fun.
But why the recent love for online casinos? To answer this question, we only need to look at 888casino. A leading player in the UK market, this site features a host of gaming options designed to attract players of all persuasions. From exclusiven 888casino online slots like Millionaire Genie with £3 million+ jackpots or free play table games American roulette, the menu of games has been designed to appeal to a variety of types of gamers.
Much like how social media sites like Facebook now offer a variety of gaming options like Words with Friends and Farmville (which has made more than £1 billion itself), modern online casinos appeal to the masses through providing options to suit different tastes. In fact, one of the main reasons players are now more willing to ante-up on such a site is because entertainment takes precedence over money.
A real-world casino like the one close to Exeter in Cardiff Bay will usually focus on "serious betting", while online casinos tend to go more for the fun of the game. The reason why online casinos offer free play tables is to remove any risk and show new players that casino games can be entertaining with or without money. Of course, money is still a major part of the industry and the upturn in online activity has yielded some positive results in recent months.
The Internet is Changing the World Around Us
"internet_marketing_strategies" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by FindYourSearch
According to the UKGC's revenue report (April 2013 to March 2016), licenced operators raked in £4.5 billion. In addition to topping the revenue stakes for the industry (live and online) as a whole, that total was £1.1 billion more than the National Lottery (£3.4 billion) and high street betting shops (£3.3 billion).
Of the money generated by Internet betting, it was online casinos that generated the most cash at 57.5% (around £2.4 billion). Again, this supports the idea that these types of site have gained mainstream popularity. With more people anteing up online than playing the National lottery, it is clear that casinos are now accepted as a recreational activity.
In fact, if there was ever a reason to suggest the Internet has changed our lives it could be this. From a niche activity played in live venues to a mass market industry, casinos have become a part of our everyday lives - and it's all thanks to the Internet.
Main image credit: "Cards Gamble 7" (CC BY 2.0) by kev-shine.
