Over the last few decades, technology has advanced rapidly with many different forms of entertainment to be found online. Two prime examples of this are video games and online casinos which have soared in popularity. The same innovative technology has allowed for both of these industries to develop and become so prominent in our daily lives, but which one has the edge?
The popularity of video games
Video games have come a long way since they first emerged in the 1950s. Now they are one of the most profitable entertainment industries in the world and have led to the birth of some pretty impressive global franchises. According to Statista:
- 8 billion people worldwide have access to the internet, as of 2019.
- 5 billion people use the internet to play games, according to a 2015 ESA Computer and video game industry report.
The recent development of mobile gaming has even opened the doors to a completely new generation of gamers, offering on demand thrills.
Mobile gaming
Mobile gaming has revolutionized the industry making it easier for small developers to hit the big time.
The impact that mobile gaming has had on the industry is huge. Not only has this changed how people play video games but has brought gaming into the mainstream. The demographic of gaming has been impacted and game development is no longer limited to the big names with the big bucks. Now even small independent developers can release a game on IOS or Android with relative ease. Developers have also created multiplayer games for mobile, meaning players can join in on the go. One of the most popular games of all time is the record-breaking mobile game Angry Birds – a fantastic achievement considering its relatively short lifespan so far.
Online casinos
In contrast, online casinos have a far richer history – or at least their offline counterparts do. The creation of online casinos can be traced back to the small Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda. It was there, in 1994, that the government passed the Free Trade and Processing Act that allowed the country to grant licences to companies that wanted to start online casinos. Also in 1994, on another island, the Isle of Man, a software company called Microgaming was established and became responsible for the creation of the world’s first fully functioning online casino.
In 1995, Cryptologic created the software that allowed real money transactions to take place, allowing gamblers to bet, and win, real money online. Technology continued to improve, meaning the overall player experience got better, with higher quality graphics and more realistic sound effects. Despite the increasing complexity of the programming, software flaws continued to be rare, yet the majority of hardcore gamblers still preferred to gamble in the traditional bricks and mortar casinos.
Live casinos
The development of live casinos transformed the gambling experience allowing players to get all the benefits of a land-based casino from wherever they were in the world.
This all changed with the advent of live dealer games. New technologies allowed players to watch live streams while playing, creating a digital version of the traditional experience and the atmosphere that had been missing.
Finally, mobile technology pushed online gambling into the 21st century expanding its reach, allowing gamblers to access their favourite games online and on the go, including poker, slots, roulette, live casino, roulette, and card games.
The thrill of playing for a tangible reward is often what draws people to online casinos instead of video games, where you can spend hours having fun, but with nothing really to show for it at the end. One of the top casinos to visit for a fully immersive experience and variety is 777 Casino, where you’ll find live dealers, slots, classic casino favourites and plenty of video game inspired online casino games too.
The global rise of online gambling
Online casinos have a huge allure worldwide as they are so convenient, making it possible for gamblers to play their favourite games with ease.
Online gambling as an industry is going from strength to strength across the world, especially in places like the UK where it contributes so much to the economy.
- Around 26% of the worldwide population gamble.
- In the UK around 17% of the population gamble online, resulting in an incredible £5.3 billion in yearly revenue.
- Worldwide, Australia leads the way, with an average of USD $916 gambled online per person in 2014.
The pros and cons
There are pros and cons of both gaming and gambling. Gaming can be used as a motivator for completing other tasks, particularly for younger gamers. It can also help with brain activity, in particular around hand-eye coordination, memory, maths and reading skills. It can improve social interaction, team working, decision making and problem-solving skills.
However, if used excessively, gaming can have negative consequences, including reduced physical activity, strained eyesight, hearing damage (where gaming headsets are used), and poor body position leading to musculoskeletal issues. It can also lead to isolation from society, a loss of sense of reality, aggressive behavior and a lack of time for other activities.
Online gambling on the other hand can be entertaining and exciting, offering the gambler a thrill each time they play, and offers the player a chance to win real money as well as additional bonuses and rewards. It’s convenient and can be done from the comfort of your own home. There are also endless choices and options, with different games to suit all budgets, offering privacy and security.
But, if not managed correctly, online gambling can become a problem. It is almost too easy to gamble now, which is why many reputable sites have deposit limits in place to prevent problem gamblers from getting out of control.
Conclusion
The two sit in opposite markets, attracting a different demographic but offer the same adrenaline fuelled experiences to players. When compared like for like, online gambling has the edge, with such lucrative rewards making it worth all the time spent playing.
Looking to the future, developers are using new technologies to develop more immersive experiences for gamers, including artificial intelligence, virtual reality and voice recognition. While online casinos are constantly working to attract new gamblers, investing in increased and more competitive rewards systems, including welcome bonuses, as well as developing new games and technologies. The two worlds are even intersecting in the growing arena of e-sports, where video games and gambling are blended together to take the best of both worlds, so who knows what the future holds? One thing is for sure, it looks to be exciting!
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