Online Casinos vs. Land-Based Casinos: Which is Better?

The debate between online and land-based casinos rages on.

Casinos

With the steady rise of the online casino industry, there is one question on everyone’s lips — which is better, online casinos or land-based casinos? While both land-based and USA online casinos have their pros and cons, we are going to try to establish which one is better.

Land-based casinos have been around for hundreds of years, with the first recorded casino operation being in Italy in the 17th century. While this is the first recorded casino, gambling itself has been around for much longer. The introduction of land-based casinos provided a regulated and controlled environment for gambling activities to take place. Land-based casinos have changed quite a bit over the years, due in large part to advancements in technology and construction and the huge influx of cash from gamblers.

The first online casinos began to appear around the mid to late 1990s. The success these first online casino pioneers enjoyed increased quickly, and it wasn’t long before many new big win online casinos followed. Of course, there wouldn’t be online casinos if it wasn’t for land-based casinos, as the latter laid the blueprint for how a successful gambling operation is run.

According to the latest studies, the online gambling market is set to grow to a staggering $172 Billion by 2030, which amounts to a compounded annual growth rate of 11.6%. This unprecedented industry growth is clearly of concern to land-based casinos, who not only have to compete with other land-based casinos but also online casinos offering online casino games for real money!

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Argument for land-based casinos

Let’s take a look at some of the arguments for land-based casinos. Firstly, and the most striking difference, is the fact that land-based casinos have a social element which makes gambling more enjoyable. It is not just about going to the casino and gambling; it is also giving you the chance to meet people and have fun times with friends. This is an advantage that land-based casinos will always have over online casinos. While online casinos offer online skill games for real money, such as poker and blackjack, it is not the same as sitting and playing with a real dealer and other players in front of you.

Playing at land-based casinos also offer players the option to take part in other activities. If you look at some of the top resort casinos in the US, you will find a range of entertainment activities such as live music, top restaurants, and world-class shopping facilities. When you visit a land-based casino, you are given the VIP treatment, where drinks are sometimes served free of charge. You can sit back and relax, play your favorite casino games, and soak up the full experience of the casino’s sights and sounds. This is what made the top Las Vegas casinos so popular throughout the years, where the iconic Las Vegas casino games selection and rooms continue to offer an unmatched vibe.

chips on craps table

A craps table at a land-based casino.

On the technical side, there are also some benefits to playing at land-based casinos. The most notable of which is cash out speed. When you gamble at land-based casinos, cash outs are instant. If you compare this to online casinos, where cash outs can take up to a week, then it becomes clear why many choose to play at land-based casinos. There is an argument that this can be dangerous, particularly for players who were lucky on the night, as they would be an easy target for criminals. However, land-based casino goers can simply ask the casino security to escort them to their vehicle, who will be happy to assist.

Argument for online casinos

There is no denying that there has been a huge migration of people who once played at land-based casinos now choosing to play at real money online casinos. This is due largely to the convenience that online casinos give players. There is no longer the need to drive out to the casino to gamble when your favorite games are just one click away! With the equally as significant growth of mobile casinos for real money offering mobile gambling, it has now become even more convenient to enjoy your favorite games while on the move. Online casino reviews are a great way to find the best online casinos.

When it comes to online gambling, the luxury of choice is a big component of why players choose online casinos. Not only are there hundreds, if not thousands, of online casinos to choose from there are also tons of games you can access when playing at online casinos. When you have the option of choosing between hundreds of unique slot titles, numerous board games, and live gaming options, it makes driving out to land-based casinos that much less attractive.

When it comes to the technical side of things, we would have to say that online casinos have the upper hand over land-based casinos. Being able to transfer funds directly from your bank account or through third-party services makes depositing and playing at online casinos easy. Playing online also adds a layer of anonymity, away from judging eyes. While your personal details are shared with the online casino, they are not permitted to share these publicly.

Lastly, online casinos offer some crazy casino bonus offers to players who sign up, as well as to existing players through VIP and loyalty programs. In addition, online casinos also offer instant win casino games with higher return to player (RTP) percentages as well as huge casino jackpots when compared to their land-based counterparts.

The only thing that you need to look out for when playing online and making use of casino bonuses are the rollover requirements. These can be tricky to navigate depending on which casino you are playing at.

Verdict

Now that we have looked at the hard facts about gambling at both online and land-based casinos, who is the winner? In our opinion, we would have to say that online casinos have the upper hand. Not only are they at the forefront of new technology, but they also offer a gambling experience that is hard to match. Sure, you don’t get all the extras that land-based casinos offer, but this is a different debate. When it comes to gambling and the gambling experience, you are simply getting more bang for your buck when you play online!

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James Guill

James Guill is a former professional poker player who writes fro GambleOnline.co about poker, sports, casinos, gaming legislation and the online gambling industry in general. His past experience includes working with IveyPoker, PokerNews, PokerJunkie, Bwin, and the Ongame Network. From 2006-2009 he participated in multiple tournaments including the 37th and 38th World Series of Poker (WSOP). James lives in Virgina and he has a side business where he picks and sells vintage and antique items.

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