Land-Based Casinos VS Online Gambling Websites: which are better?

Over the past couple of years, online casinos have skyrocketed in popularity. Nowadays, more players are switching from traditional live casinos to online alternatives, which has caused a decline in the revenues of land-based gambling establishments. But are online casinos objectively better than their traditional counterparts?

In today’s article, we will analyze the main advantages and low points of both branches of the industry to be able to predict whether gambling websites will still dominate the market in the following years or whether land-based casinos are meant to steal their thunder in the near future.

Pro 1 for land-based casinos: the atmosphere that takes one back to a luxurious Las Vegas evening

The atmosphere evoked by land-based casinos may be their most vital asset, as luxurious venues can make gamblers feel transported to a Las Vegas-reminiscent party from the golden age.

Using soothing music and striking light effects, land-based casinos can successfully make gamblers feel welcome.

Pro 2 for land-based casinos: free drinks on the house

Besides the opulent atmosphere and the excellent service offered by the casino staff, gamblers should also be able to receive free drinks when playing in a land-based establishment.

The reasoning behind this practice is quite the clever one: as gamblers enjoy the free drinks received, they should feel more relaxed and thus be more likely to gamble for a more extended period of time.

Pro 3 for land-based casinos: being able to socialize

Gambling can be a great social activity if one has friends that share their passion. Hence, land-based casinos can become an ideal meeting place for gamblers that entertain the idea of playing games of chance while catching up with their friends.

The disadvantages of land-based casinos

Given the mass migration from land-based casinos to online ones, it’s normal to realize that real-life establishments have also their minuses, which makes their players opt for the online versions instead. Here are some of them.

Con 1 for land-based casinos: having to walk a certain distance to play games

One of the most significant downsides of gambling in land-based casinos must be the lack of proximity. Players will always have to walk the distance to be able to gamble in live establishments, which can discourage many from pursuing their hobby.

Con 2 for land-based casinos: the lack of variety in terms of game options

Land-based casinos always strive to develop new slot machines and table games to attract new potential customers but keeping up with the game catalogs offered by online gambling websites is impossible.

Gamblers who quickly lose interest in casual games and are always looking for new releases may easily get bored in land-based gambling sites.

Pro 1 for online casinos: the numerous incentives offered to players

Objectively, online casinos will not be able to impress their customers through the excellent manners of their staff or help players feel relaxed by providing them with free beverages. Instead, online casinos famously offer players numerous incentives to further enhance their gambling experience.

Gamblers who opt to play in online casinos will have access to several bonuses, such as free spins, extra funds that can be used in games, and cashback offers. Moreover, when a gambler first joins an online casino, they will more likely be welcomed with a registration promotion that provides them with several incentives they can use to start their gambling journey on the website.

Pro 2 for online casinos: live casinos recreate the atmosphere of the land-based ones 

Reports show that several gamblers still prefer to play games in land-based casinos to experience the vibrant atmosphere the venues create through mesmerizing tunes and lighting. 

To compensate for this lacking, online casinos have introduced live casino options in their game catalogs. Hence, by accessing live-stream games, players will be able to experience the same glamorous, Nevada-evoking atmosphere they would enjoy in land-based establishments.

Pro 3 for online casinos: their great accessibility 

Online casinos boast great accessibility and convenience, allowing players to gamble 24/7 from the comfort of their homes. Hence, wherever players find themselves nowadays, they should be able to wager on their favorite games.

The disadvantages of online casinos

As was the case with their real-life versions, online casinos also have their disadvantages. Although more accessible and easy to understand, playing online can also come with some downfalls. Here are only a few of them. 
Con 1 for online casinos: having to pay by card

Online casinos are famous for offering players a wide range of payment options to choose from, including e-wallets, debit cards, and voucher cards. However, for players that still prefer to process most of their payments by cash, online casinos won’t be able to accommodate them.

Con 2 for online casinos: having to be weary of scam casinos

While numerous online casinos function under strict regulations imposed by gambling authorities, it is a well-known fact that scam casinos are still an actual danger to inexperienced players. There have been several reports of scam online casinos refusing to honor the winnings to players or erasing accounts without returning the deposited funds of gamblers.

Thankfully, such misfortunes can be avoided if gamblers stick to placing wagers strictly in online casinos licensed by a reputable gambling authority, such as UKGC, MGA, or Gibraltar.

The verdict
All things considered, we think both branches of the industry have clear advantages and limitations which can affect players' decisions when making out their minds about where they should wager.

However, online casinos continuously strive to compensate for their shortcomings by providing players with even more immersive and advantageous perks. On the other hand, land-based casinos seem unmoving in their decision to stick to their classic format at the risk of losing even more customers in the following years.