People spend a lot of time gambling online; but is it time well spent? How fun are they, how competitive and diverse is the iGaming market and what are your actual winning chances?
These are just a few of the questions we’re going to answer in our following article, so stick with us to know more.
Online casino gambling has been on a steady rising trend in the last few years, on a worldwide level. A study made on the UK market shows the gross gambling yield in online casinos going from 2.364 £m in 2016 to 3.175 £m in 2019.
A lot of factors have led to the rising popularity of iGaming, but we’re not going to talk about them now. Instead, we will take a close look at the games that power this industry.
Safety first
Online casinos must fulfil a vast set of strict rules and standards to receive and maintain their gambling licenses.
These were imposed to prevent irresponsible gambling and money laundering. But the rising popularity of online gambling created a big opportunity for scammers to thrive, as well. But it’s not that easy to close an illegitimate and unlicensed platform, also because can reappear very fast.
Safe and secure casinos have a strong reputation, and they are backed by players, experts, and legal authorities. No matter what casino you’re playing on, check for its gambling license first. In the USA, each state has its own gaming control board, and they are the ones who control licenses. The UKGC – UK Gambling Commission – is the main regulator and licensor on the gambling market.
Generally speaking, a licensed casino is a safe casino, but there are other aspects you’ll want to check to make sure you’re gambling on a safe platform. In case you need help choosing a casino, there are certain dedicated websites, where gambling experts review online platforms. Their review covers the platform’s features, the terms and conditions, casino games, and bonus offers, to make sure they are safe and legitimate.
Casino games: types and categories
There are several types of casino games, and each gambler has his or her favourite one. Slot games are by far the most popular, with a huge share of 69.7% of the annual gross gambling yield in the UK.
These games have come a very long way since they were invented, from the coin-operated machine that could double your bet, to complex video games with multiple pay lines and special features. They are so popular that lots of gambling websites feature them exclusively. Big game developing studios release new slot titles every month, and really successful ones even get sequels.
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Regarding these games’ themes, the options are infinite. “Fruit machines” have evolved into proper games, with elaborate designs and catchy stories. Some of the most popular slot themes are Ancient Egypt, Greek and Viking Mythology, Horror, Oriental, Movie, Music, and Adventure Slots.
As you might have guessed, the movie and music games are inspired by real films and bands/singers/DJs in our recent culture. Thus, fans of movies or series like Ted, Jurassic Park, and Game of Thrones, but also bands like Guns ‘n Roses or Motorhead, also have their favourite games to play.
The next most popular casino game type is the Roulette; this one makes 13% of the annual gross gambling yield. Although they are no as diverse as slot games, they come in several versions. There’s the American Roulette, the European Roulette, the French one, The Multi-Ball one, the Spingo, the Multi-Wheel, and the Live Dealer Roulette. Although they are pretty similar, each player usually prefers one of these versions.
The next casino game types, in terms of popularity, are Blackjack games (5.7% GGY), and Poker games (3.1% GGY). These games do not come in such diverse versions as roulette or slots, but they do have a steady pool of devoted players, so almost every online casino features them.
The fun factor
Several factors drive people to play casino games, and the winning potential is not the only important one. Casino games can also be fun to play, and slot games represent the leading category from this point of view as well.
Besides the nice design, the sound and animations that keep you alert, and the game’s theme and story, winning also adds to the fun part. The fact that some people play slot games on “demo mode” only is strong proof that winning is not only about the money. The satisfaction of winning creates a strong drive to keep playing, and the advantage of slot games is their simplicity. You don’t need any skills, you only have to press a button, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll keep winning.
Some people, on the other hand, find their fun in certain gambling strategies. Thus, they will mainly play poker and blackjack, where attention and skills are crucial. These games are complex enough, so they don’t have to compensate with catchy stories, characters, music, and themes. Poker and blackjack gamblers are usually very competitive, so finding the right strategy is a constant mission, and winning brings a lot of satisfaction.
Winning chances
Lots of gamblers are actually looking into winning big. Vegas-inspired stories and movies have influenced people to believe that a lucky gambling session might make you rich. How rich? Enough to never worry about working again. So, this creates a serious drive to play.
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The main indicator regarding winning chances in casino games is the RTP – return to player rate. In the UK, this rate is usually calculated for £1000 amount, and the rate tells you how much you’re going to get back after gambling that amount. For example, a 97% RTP means that you will most likely get back £970 for every £1000 you gamble. Sure, you could get more, or even less, but this will be your average outcome in the long term.
Online casinos usually show the RTP rates for each game category, so be sure to check it out. Most casino games, including slots, have an RTP above 90%, even 99%. But watch out, this doesn’t mean you will win 99% of the times. No winnings are guaranteed on an objective level; it’s still a matter of chance.
Our honest conclusion
Yes, casino games can be a lot of fun. They also reflect the trends of today’s pop culture. So, from this point of view, they are worth your time. Still, there are chances that you will lose money gambling, or even get scammed if you don’t choose the right casino. Therefore, we recommend that you seriously consider and assess your situation before proceeding to gamble.
If you don’t know anything about gambling, and you’re not willing to learn either, stick to playing games that don’t involve a real stake. You can find them online easily, and you can also play them on your phone.
If you’ve done your research, and you’re not risking your financial safety, go ahead and play on real money games. But proceed with care! Gambling can be addictive, and this could lead to serious consequences. Always gamble responsibly!
