Despite Economic Slow Down, Casino Games Stay the Course
The gambling industry has been operating for 500 years. Despite economic downturns that occasionally affect land-based casino properties year-over-year, online casinos show no signs of slowing down.
Players can now enjoy a truly realistic casino experience at an online establishment without ever having to leave their home, thanks in no small part to the live dealer component. These types of casinos feature an actual real life flesh and blood human being (the dealer) and provides an immersive experience via live streaming. In many cases, the online casino itself is based off existing gambling establishments.
One interesting catch is that, compared to brick-and-mortar establishments, online casinos do not limit their capacity or the number of games they provide. You will have to make and serve your own drinks though.
The total gross gaming revenue of U.S. casinos in 2021 came in near 53.03 billion U.S. dollars. This followed months of shutdowns due to the global pandemic. The U.S. online gambling market was valued at USD $2.2 million in 2020 and represented one of the few thriving industries that dreadful year. There wasn't much else to do besides play online casino games, eat and drink, maybe a little whoopie here and there.
And the old reliable standbys that many people remember from childhood continue to thrive and evolve.
Let's look at each of the marquee casino games to see how they have fared since the pandemic.
The Classic Game—Roulette
No matter how remote, all casinos likely have at least one roulette table. Due to its immense popularity among gamblers, internet casinos quickly adopted the game to offer it to their consumers. Numerous variations of the game, such as American, French, and European roulette, ensure that there is a game that suits every player's preferences.
The game is enticing to gamblers because it can be learned quickly and offers a wide variety of betting opportunities. Roulette is a fan favorite among the many games offered at an online casinos.
During the pandemic, online casino play in general rose with the closure of brick and mortar properties across the globe.
And get this, the UK Gambling Commission found that the total gross gambling yield between April 2020 and September 2020 was £5.9 billion. Online roulette specifically accounted for 14% of the total gross gambling yield.
Never Goes Out of Style—Blackjack
Blackjack, or "21" as it is sometimes referred to, can be available at every online casino and is wildly popular among adults and minors who are legally allowed to wager. The diversity of blackjack variants available to test out when playing online is an advantage that brick-and-mortar casinos may lack. Blackjack Switch, Atlantic City Blackjack, and Vegas Strip Blackjack are three of the most popular variations.
Its impossibility to card count is a significant selling point for many players. Every hand is dealt from a new deck, and the deck is shuffled automatically afterward, so everyone plays with the same odds.
Minimum bets at live dealer online blackjack tables range from $1 to $5.
In Pennsylvania, one of the few U.S. states that legalized online casino play, table game taxable revenue reached $1.2 billion during the fiscal year 2021/2022, representing a 37% increase from the previous fiscal year's period. While there is no breakdown among the games, blackjack remains the most popular.
There is actually a secret society of blackjack players who gather each year for what is billed as the Blackjack Ball. It's often considered the G2 Summit of gambling. The Blackjack Ball, like most things, paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Amazing Poker And Its Many Game Variants
Gamblers that prefer games that demand concentration, strategy, and dedication will find their true calling in poker. More than a hundred million individuals are expected to play poker online this year, making it as popular as in land-based casinos. Most online gambling establishments aim to replicate the excitement and thrills of a traditional casino for their customers. Players can engage in live games with other players and a virtual dealer on their smartphone, computer, or tablet.
Texas hold 'em, five-card draw, and Pineapple is the most popular poker variants played in virtual casinos.
Want a better understanding just how much the game of poker has caught on over the years?
The World Series of Poker 2022 shattered records for the biggest series in WSOP history. It awarded $346 million in total prize money, beating out the previous record in 2019 by over $50 million. Nearly 200,000 people took part in the events.
The Modern One—Video Poker
When it comes to virtual gambling establishments, video poker is one of the most ubiquitous options. Players don't have to spend money to have fun with this game's different permutations because it's played only for entertainment. Video poker comes in many forms, including Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, Joker Poker, etc., and may be played at several online casinos.
These games and others like blackjack, slots, and baccarat are typically available at casinos. Adjusting the payout percentage offered by several of the most excellent online casinos will increase your chances of winning.
In 2020, the video poker machines market took in $14.7 billion worldwide.
Growth was expected to reach USD 39.1 billion by 2027.
The Loud and Famous—Slots
Like traditional ones, slot machines are a major attraction at online casinos. The popularity of slot machines can be attributed to their ease of use and the seemingly unlimited variety of available slot machine themes. The possible outcomes were severely restricted in the early mechanical slot machines, which included only three reels. Video slots in online casinos often have five reels and offer a wider variety of winning combinations—the ultimate classic, a game that will never go out of style.
The Game For All—Online Bingo
The online version of bingo is as well-liked as the traditional version. Throughout the world, millions of people have discovered the joy of this easy-to-learn pastime. The goals of online bingo are identical to those of the classic version. When you get a complete house or a line, you click on the screen instead of crossing them off with a pen or pencil as they are called out. Different takes on the classic game can be found online, just like any other type of game. What's more remarkable about online bingo is that you can get $25 free to play online bingo for money on some established websites.
Estimates have 1.6 billion people visiting bingo halls each year. It should come as little surprise that the game's popularity translates well to an online and mobile environment.
- B.E. Delmer, Gambling911.com
