Land-Based VS Online Casinos- Who Wins?

10:52 Apr 10th, 2022 Land Based Online Gambling

As technology advances, all spheres of our lives undergo significant transformations in order to adjust to those growing trends. As dynamic as it is, the online gambling industry is the sector where all those changes are most obvious.

While new and more powerful gaming machines with special sound effects are added to brick-and-mortar venues all over the globe, this branch of entertainment remains relatively static. In contrast, the online sector gives significantly more opportunities to level up player experience and even exceed their expectations. 

For that reason, we decided to compare some things in common between traditional and online casinos, among which payment methods, game selection, bonuses, and more, to see which one has more advantages and where can one expect better and more quality entertainment. Stay with us!

Games Portfolio

In land-based casinos, the selection of games depends on the available space. Unless some additional gambling facilities are added over time, the number of machines and tables is always the same. Depending on the space itself, it can range anywhere from 20-30 to 1,500-2,000 (Venetian in Macau has 3,000 machines and 870 tables).

On the other hand, online casinos have no restrictions when it comes to available space to accommodate games. New titles and providers are added on a daily basis, giving players a chance to explore thousands of games, sometimes even up to 6,000.

What’s even more, the number of online content developers is growing rapidly, so the selection of games is expanded and updated frequently. Also, providers keep experimenting with genres, and mix slot games and bingo, Roulette and Bingo, scratch cards and slots, and so on, so players are always given the opportunity to check out something authentic.

Another detail worth noting is that return to player percentage is often lower in land-based facilities due to higher maintenance costs of the machines. Keep in mind that they need to take numerous costs (including the staff salary) into account when calculating the odds. As for gambling websites, they can offer RTP of 98%, or even higher.

Finally, let’s not forget to mention one of the biggest benefits of online gambling- demo play. This is especially good for novice punters, who want to explore how things work, but cannot make up their mind which game to play in real money mode. A couple of spins in fun mode can help them see how the features work, what’s the atmosphere like, and then make a deposit and play it for real.

Bonuses and Promotions

Games aside, people are attracted by promotions and bonuses, as those are additional opportunities to grab complimentary credits in form of bonus cash or casino spins. There’s a Loyalty club as well, which gives members access to an even wider range of perks.

These are seen in both land-based and online casinos, but the only difference is that iGaming sites have a better selection of promos and bonuses. Also, incentives in traditional venues are mainly aimed at loyal clients or those who are already enrolled in the club, while betting sites offer perks even to newly-joined punters or even without making a deposit- that’s right, we are talking no deposit bonuses.

Plus, bonus offers in online casinos can be tailored based on players’ individual behavior and preferences. That’s the reason they keep returning to such places, as they can enjoy promos which fit them perfectly.

Selection of Payment Methods

On brick-and-mortar venues, a player can opt between credit cards and real cash to participate in gambling, while online casinos display e-wallets, cryptocurrencies (including eco-friendly options as well), and bank transfers as well. What’s even more iGaming platforms offer not only an extensive range of payment methods but currencies as well.

Yet, land-based casinos don’t require customers to submit tons of documents to verify their identity, while online platforms may have rigorous ID verification procedures in place. Also, payouts in traditional casinos are instant, while websites may divide it into weekly/monthly installments, in case of larger winnings.

Availability and Mobility

Playing games in an online casino can be done literally anywhere, as long as there’s an internet connection and a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). A punter can check out his/ her favorite games from the comfort of their own home, while in the bus or a coffee shop.

On the other hand, physical casinos are not found in every single city or town, not to mention in smaller areas. Sometimes it’s necessary to travel a several hundred kilometers to the nearest casino unless one lives just a couple of hundred meters from a brick-and-mortar venue.

While that does sound exciting and can even take you to some unexpected and weird locations where those venues are accommodated, it incurs more costs than playing games online. You need to pay for the transportation, dining, and accommodation and have money to play games- because that’s why you’ve planned a trip in the first place.

Also, if someone is already playing a slot or table game you are interested in, you need to wait until it’s vacant, while online games are available to countless players at any time- day or night.

Even though not explicitly expressed and divided that way, land-based casinos are for players with deeper pockets. While the machines themselves may be available in a variety of denominations, there are plenty of accompanying costs one should take into consideration when planning to visit a land-based casino.

Yet, when opting for an online gaming site, do pay attention to country restrictions for registering and claiming bonuses.

Customer Support

Trust is always built on communication, which is why the role of technical support is vital. The team in charge of handling the queries should be round-the-clock and available 24/7 via as many channels as possible.

Online casinos usually offer three channels of communication- live chat, phone, and e-mail. Some even have FAQ pages or blogs which cover some basic questions. Land-based casinos also have administrators, cashiers, croupiers, and other staff always available to answer any question.

It is true that physical casinos have more consumer trust, which is what gives them a better advantage over their digital counterparts. However, online platforms are investing a lot in cybersecurity and putting plenty of effort to gain as a higher level of trustworthiness as possible.

While availability and accessibility do seem advantageous, they may put problem gamblers in difficult situations. Luckily, online casinos have found lots of ways to protect players and ensure they don’t cross the limits by providing lots of tools for responsible gambling (limits, cool off, self-exclusion, etc.).

Atmosphere 

While some people enjoy that authentic vivid atmosphere in a physical casino, not all of them enjoy being distracted by a variety of external factors. Smoke, music, chit-chatting, and bystanders can sometimes be quite annoying if you are trying to focus on a game, especially if playing some games of skill.

When at home, you can have your friends around while playing, listen to music, or none of those, if you prefer spinning the reels and shuffling the cards quietly. Moreover, you can be dressed the way you want, while land-based casinos may have strict rules on dress codes.

Eco-friendliness

The efficient use of land is an essential component of sustainability, as resources are not only limited but are decreasing as well. Land-based casinos require lots of space and occupy land which could otherwise be used for housing and agricultural possibilities.

Online casinos take up no physical space and require no physical construction to accommodate games. Also, they are working on making the transactions greener by promoting alternatives to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies which leave a deep carbon footprint.

Closing Comments

It is obvious that online betting sites dominate the sector, which is why it is expected that their popularity will only continue to grow. While these two worlds will continue to battle, each trying to make itself more attractive and trustworthy, we can only conclude that everything boils down to personal preferences.

Physical casinos do have an authentic atmosphere, and they give people the opportunity to socialize, but they have a limited selection of games. Online platforms have a better selection of games and a variety of bonuses, but people still tend to be suspicious when it comes to trustworthiness. They often question whether the games are rigged or will they have any problems trying to withdraw winnings.

As seen from the analysis, each of them has its pros and cons, which are observed entirely from a personal perspective. What goes for both of them is that players should approach responsibly and take all aspects into consideration when making a decision on where to play.

Gamble responsibly!