It might be hard to believe that the first online casino was launched almost 30 years ago, enabling people to place real money bets on a computer. However, much has changed in the industry throughout the subsequent decades and the pastime is growing increasingly popular.
In fact, within the past ten years, online casinos and sports betting websites have become a common form of entertainment. There are, however, various reasons for their growth. Keep reading to learn how the online gambling industry is gaining popularity in the UK.
Greater Regulation Equals Greater Trust
It is likely many people are utilising the ease and convenience of online gambling due to greater trust in online betting websites. At present, the UK Gambling Commission is the strictest regulatory body in Europe, which will provide peace of mind that a player’s credit card details and money will be in safe hands when placing a bet on a table game or sporting event.
The Gambling Commission also goes to great lengths to ensure every online operator adheres to their strict policies, which can lead to improved data protection and responsible gambling online.
The Introduction of Mobile Play
It’s fair to say the calibre of online games have increased in recent years due to many developers designing titles for various mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers. Players can, therefore, choose from a wide variety of high-quality games, which they can play in the comfort of their own home or when on-the-go.
The quality undoubtedly improved when developers ditched Flash and embraced HTML5 in 2012, which has led to smoother and faster gameplay. Many large brands such as SkyVegas can now also provide their customers with original and tailor-made titles, which is leading to a diverse, varied and enhanced gaming experience on mobile devices. Companies like Electronic Arts also provide a better graphic quality to make the experience even closer to real life.
Caption: A smartphone
Gamification
Social media has become a huge aspect of people’s everyday life, as they will commonly use the networks to learn about the latest news, communicate with their loved ones, and find shopping inspiration. It is, therefore, unsurprising that many online betting sites have chosen to make gambling more social with gamification. More operators are now allowing players to share their results on various social media networks, which will allow them to compete against their friends in real-time when playing slot machines. Some online casino websites now also allow their players to create their own avatars, which is leading to a fun, personalized gaming experience.
Public perception for online gambling is seemingly changing, as it was once viewed as seedy and linked to a negative vice. However, the ability to share your wins or losses on social media is helping to shed the social stigma attached to online casinos, so that they are becoming a more commercial form of entertainment.
It also appears that many people have listened to the promotion of responsible gaming, as a survey by the UKGC reported that 30% of players reported their primary reason for gambling online was for fun and enjoyment.
The Rise of Female Gamblers
While gambling was once regarded as a masculine hobby, it appears many more women are now choosing to place a bet online. The rise of female gamblers is likely due to the ability to log onto a website to place a bet in private, rather than entering a male-dominated casino or bookmaker. For this reason, many online operators have developed products targeted at the female market.
It appears many factors have led to the popularity of online gambling in the UK. Authorities have not only taken the time to heavily regulate websites to provide a safe gaming environment for both players and operators, but the ease of online betting and the rise of mobile play has led to significant growth in the market. Gamification is also helping to decrease the stigma commonly associated with online betting, which is leading to more people placing a bet on various sporting events and games.
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