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Life without the internet is unbearable to think about, especially in an era where everything you need is online. The use of websites for shopping, booking holidays and even conversing with friends, has led to a surge in online activity. As you can imagine this has translated into the gambling world which has seen an exponential growth in the online sector, with many of the large brands opening betting sites.
Although initially there appeared to be a free for all of gambling sites, with new casino sites launching pretty much daily. This diminished when the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was introduced in 2007. They began to inundate the industry with regulation changes and uncover the brands and methods of operation which many considered unethical.
The biggest changes came with the advancing technology, which enticed players who hadn’t even ventured into a land-based casino or bookies. The main one being mobile phones, which allowed people to register and play on a casino, slot, or sports betting site whenever they wanted.
If you have never gambled online but you have been considering it, then you may be wondering why people are drawn to it. Therefore, we’ve brought you our article which will answer the question, ‘why play casino games online?’
Land Based Casino vs Online Casino Gambling
Whether you play online or at an actual casino is a personal preference because each offer very different benefits. Choosing land-based betting provides an atmosphere which cannot be replicated online, because it not only offers great games, but you can meet other players and chat with the croupiers.
Of course, we know that this isn’t for everyone, some of you want to play in a peaceful environment. That means at home, with a brew and wearing your pyjamas, or during your break in work as a way to unwind. Everyone is different, but we’ll go through the main reasons why people like to gamble online.
Can Play at Your Convenience
This is the first one because it’s probably the most important reason for many players. The fact you can access great casinos and sports betting sites on your computer and mobile, means you can bet whenever you like without restriction. Unlike land-based sites which have opening and closing times, you can jump on your favourite online sites 24/7.
Then add in the fact that playing at home means you don’t have to get ready to go anywhere. You can enjoy your creature comforts on the couch, take some time out at work, or make the journey home from work a little more exciting. The possibilities are endless with incredible jackpots, all you need is internet connection so you can log in and play.
Lots of Gaming Options
As you can imagine, within a land-based casino you can only have a set number of gambling machines. But being online the casino has no limitations, meaning plenty of choice and lots of different categories. If you like slots, table casino games, bingo, or progressives, then you’ll find a raft of them on most sites from the top game designers. Also, because online casinos don’t have to physically find space for new games, you’ll see some unusual options such as the exciting Japanese game Pachinko.
When you head to the library of games you can find it a little overwhelming, but most of them have demo options. This means you can play a version of online craps or lightening roulette and many other games without using any of your credit. Only registered players to the site can access demo games due to legislation changes introduced by the UK Gambling Commission. But trying out the game will give you an idea as to whether you want to play on it for real or not.
Fast and Easy Payments
Alongside the improved technology on the betting sites, you will also find fast payouts and easier banking methods. Obviously, this is dependent on the type that you choose, but we’re big fans of e-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller and Ilixium, Boku phone bill payments or the usual debit cards.
Similarly, the ability to remove winnings from your account is much easier than ever. This has a little to do with the UK Gambling Commission and their recent changes banning reverse withdrawals. We would recommend that before you register with a site, you check out their terms and conditions.
Secure Transactions
One of the growing concerns with the use of online gambling is the security element, for both financial and personal details. Thankfully the majority of sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology which is an encryption software that adds safety measures to ensure that no one can hack into your account. To determine if the casino has SSL in place, head to the bottom of the website and you will see an SSL certificate provided. It’s why we would only recommend UK Gambling Commission licenced sites because this is part of their requirements.
Online Gambling is Regulated
To start we’ll emphasise the point that land-based gambling is regulated too. It may seem strange that we’d see regulation as a positive thing, but it is a good reason to play online. All of the betting sites are put through rigorous checks, so that they adhere to the licence requirements of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The introduction of the UKGC has affected the gambling industry extensively and created an environment of ethics and transparency. This specifically impacted the area of terms and conditions, ensuring that players knew what they were tying themselves into as they signed up and wagered. It was hoped that having adequate information meant that the player would gamble responsibly and only bet what they could afford. Should you want to know more about some of the changes, then check out our guides on ‘know your customer’ and ‘source of wealth’.
Regulation changes were also introduced to minimise the increasing use of the online gambling industry as a way to launder money from illegal activities, whilst ensuring that underage players could not access the sites.
Play for Free
If your preference is land-based gambling, then we aren’t aware of any free of charge games. But the online world provides access to plenty of demo options. Because of UKGC legislation, the only way to play free options is by registering on the site. Once you have provided your details then you will have a library of games available without needing to spend anything.
Although demos are the ideal way to try out a slot or casino game, you should be aware that they may play slightly differently in terms of patterns or variance than the actual game, and you cannot win anything. But they will have the same rules and strategies in place, so the general premise is similar.
Bonuses and Promotions
Although not normally seen in land-based casinos (sometimes they can be offered to high rollers), bonuses and promotions are regularly used by online sites. They can be found in a variety of ways from welcome bonuses to monthly cash back, free spins, tournaments, happy hours and even loyalty bonuses. As you can imagine there are terms and conditions which will impact the benefits of the promotion. More specifically this will be wagering requirements which can make the bonus not as beneficial. Our advice is to always establish how they will affect you and whether the outcome is worth claiming the bonus. Because there is so much competition in the industry, we have found promotions can vary quite significantly on each site. This is in an attempt to make themselves more attractive than their rivals which in turn can benefit us, because we can move to another site and still enjoy great welcome bonuses.
For Fun and Enjoyment
Probably the most important reason to play online is simply to have fun. This may seem like an obvious comment to make, but many players use betting to fund their life, which is why we have seen a rise in gambling additions. To ensure that you monitor your usage we recommend keeping a set budget and adhering to it. Then simply enjoy the high-quality games from incredible designers such as NetEnt and Microgaming.
Online gambling has grown significantly because players have realised the benefits of betting in comfort, whether it’s at home or during a break in work. You have the power to choose when you want to play. There’s no need to dress up and head to a casino, in fact you can relax in pyjamas and enjoy your alone time.
Summary of Why Play Casino Games Online
We’ve given you plenty of reasons as to why you may want to gamble online, so why not join in and see for yourself. Of course, we realise that it can have its downsides and that is something you need to monitor as a player and seek advice if you feel your gambling is out of control. For many spinning the reels gives them a sense of peace and relaxation, and the chance to escape reality for a little while.
Unlike the limitations of land-based casinos, you can bet online whenever you choose. Although we’re fond of land-based casino’s, sometimes the idea of heading to one can be off putting. By playing online, you’re not missing out, in fact you’re enjoying many more benefits and games.
Hopefully now you’ve realised the joy of online betting, so here are a few of our preferred sites which are all UK Gambling Commission regulated.
If you’ve enjoyed this guide then we have plenty of others such as How to Open a New Online Casino Account UK, Which Casino Bonus is Best for you and Fast Payout Casino.