The idea of being able to play at an online casino has proven to be very popular with gambling enthusiasts. The first began operating in the late 20th century and made it possible to play real money games without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Since then, they have evolved at a rapid pace and today there are hundreds of online places to play and millions of people around the world playing in them.
Despite the popularity of online establishments, they too attract their fair share of criticism. One of the biggest criticisms is that playing online is nothing like playing in a terrestrial establishment and this is not entirely true. After all, the basic principle remains the same. In short, you are still betting on games of chance against the house, you just happen to be sitting at a computer instead of sitting at the gaming table inside a casino.
However, there are of course, a number of differences between the two experiences. On this page we have explored some of those differences, looking at the respective advantages and disadvantages of the two options.
Accessibility and comfort
Perhaps the biggest difference between playing online and playing in a brick and mortar establishment is the issue of accessibility and convenience. Not everyone lives near a casino and for many, visiting one can be a long and expensive journey. That is not really ideal for those who enjoy playing regularly. They could always move out of course, but that’s a lot of trouble just to be able to play games more easily. Also, since not all gambling places are open 24 hours a day, even if you live close to one you can’t necessarily play whenever you want.
Online casinos never close. They are open at every turn of the clock, every day.
Playing online has a clear advantage in this regard. No matter where you live, as long as you have a computer and internet access, you can play whenever you want for as long as you want. Whether you prefer just a few quick rounds of your favorite game or a long session, all you need to do is sit at the computer and log in.
Entertainment factor
The possibility of winning money is obviously a big part of casino games, but it is also a lot about the entertainment factor. Playing is quite simply a lot of fun, regardless of whether you are playing online or playing live. However, it is probably fair to say that the overall experience of playing live offers more in the entertainment sense.
When you are playing online you do not have waitresses around or bars and restaurants in the area for a drink or something to eat. You are not sitting next to other players, nor can you chat with the dealer in front of you. On some betting websites there are multiplayer games where you can interact with other players, but it is not exactly the same as the real environment.
Some people may prefer the peace and quiet of playing at home on their computer, of course, so everything that a real casino has to offer might not be of interest to you. However, in our opinion at least, there is a certain excitement playing live that online casinos simply cannot match. This is one of the advantages that brick and mortar venues will always have, no matter how much more online varieties keep improving.
The choice of the game
When it comes to game choice, playing online is a clear winner. Even the largest land-based casinos in the world cannot match the selection of games available online, where there is simply an astonishing variety of games of all types. All the common favorites such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Video Poker, and Slot Machines are offered, as well as many more. You will also find, a large number of different variations of the games. Some of the best online have literally thousands of games that you can play.