The UK Gambling market and traditional casinos are a huge part of the UK’s economy. There are 106,236 people employed in the industry, and 13.7 billion pounds are raked in by it annually. The gambling market also contributes to good causes. The national lottery contributes 1.5 billion pounds to the arts, sport, heritage, charity, voluntary, health, education and environmental sectors every year. However, with the rise of the internet, and the creation of online casinos, the traditional casino’s profits may be in jeopardy. Yet, it is hard to imagine that a cultural staple like the physical casino will ever disappear.
UK Casino Sites:
Currently, remote betting controls 34% of the UK gambling market share, a 1.5% increase from 2015. This is not a small chunk of the industry, and this percentage is only continuing to grow. Online casinos are growing in popularity at a rapid rate. The owners are also expanding their operations. Many respected remote gambling licensees operate numerous gambling websites and brands.
The Online Casino vs. the Traditional Casino:
There are many reasons that people prefer online casinos to their traditional counterparts, and the main reason is convenience. Most casinos are out-of-the-way, and gamblers have to travel reasonable distances to get to them. Being able to gamble anywhere at any time is very appealing. Another reason online gambling is so popular is the pricing. In a traditional casino one must pay exorbitant prices for food and drinks. These prices are unavoidable for avid gamblers who like to spend long spans of time at the casino, and nobody likes to go hungry.
Still, there is a strong draw to the traditional casino and the atmosphere it provides. The online casino has none of the attractions that its real life counterpart does, although it does try to imitate them. The flashing lights, the dim rooms, the winnings and losses represented by chips. There is a thrill and tangibility connected to the casino that is hard to imitate in a digital environment. It is hard to imagine that the traditional casino will ever fall to its online counterpart, regardless of how much revenue it loses to it.
Variety in UK Casino Sites:
As before stated, many remote gambling licensees operate more than one website. With over 1119 licensees, there are a lot of online casinos. Compare this figure to the 146 physical casinos run in the UK and you can see how much variety there is online. Aside from the atmosphere there is no reason to visit a physical casino. There are now thousands of casinos available right at your fingertips. With such a variety to chose from the hard part is narrowing down the list of top UK casino sites and then finding a personal favorite among the best alternatives. A licensed casino will in most cases be safe to play at but there is no reason to settle for second best when there is money on the line.
Conclusion:
It is hard to predict the future of the UK gambling market. Traditional Casinos are losing some revenue to their online counterparts but are still going strong. It is doubtful that the physical casino will ever disappear, because of the rich experience it provides. Yet, with the tech-savviness of the current generation, and with people’s thirst for variety, the traditional casino may become a thing of the past. It isn’t likely to happen any time soon though, especially not in the UK. Although, this variety could cause problems for the online gambling market. It has never been easier to find a safe, secure, and reliable gambling platform on the internet. They are everywhere you look. With such a saturated market many people may find it difficult to choose a website. Older generations, in particular, may feel overwhelmed by the extensive and ever-growing variety in website, and will return to the well-known comforts of the physical casino.