The Internet has made all facets of modern life much more convenient, from paying bills to buying groceries and everything in between, so it is no surprise the Internet has also become a convenient way to gamble on your favourite casino games. But why should players consider making the move to online play? We compare Web based casinos to land based casinos to highlight the biggest advantages of playing for real money online.
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Convenience of online play
One of the biggest advantages the Internet offers in the modern world is convenience. Having access to an endless range of services directly at our fingertips at any hour of the day is what helps fuel us through the fast-paced lifestyle of the 21st century. Thanks to the Internet, no longer do you have to drag yourself out to your closest brick and mortar casino every time you fancy a hand of blackjack or feel like throwing a few coins into a slot machine – just open your laptop or grab your smartphone and you can access a wide range of real money casino games 24 hour seven days a week.
There’s no dress codes to follow, transport to deal with or drinks to pay for, with online casinos allowing you to play real casino games from the comfort of home or anywhere you can secure an Internet connection.
Affordability of online casinos
Online casinos are more affordable than land based casinos on multiple levels. For one, there are no additional expenses to consider as far as drinks, meals, parking, taxis, valets or tips go. Even more importantly, online casinos offer games much more affordable than their land based counterparts, with wagering limits available to suit even the most casual player.
For example, when heading to a land based casino to play blackjack, you may be required to lay down a minimum bet of $10 just to sit at the table. When playing online, you can choose more affordable games, with hands of blackjack starting from just $1.00. This allows the more recreational punter to try their luck on games like blackjack, poker, roulette and baccarat without breaking the bank. Online casinos also provide the option of playing for free in practice mode, which is something unheard of in a real-life casino, so you can try new games and hone your skills before committing to a real money wager.
The affordability of online casinos doesn’t mean there isn’t serious money to be won when playing on the Web. Online casinos also cater to high rollers, with high-limit games and VIP programmes available to suit the kind of players who would usually frequent the high roller rooms at land based casinos. Whether you’ve got $5 or $500 to spend, online casino vendors make sure all bankrolls are well catered for.
Online casino bonus offers and promos
Most land based and online casinos offer loyalty reward programs, where players can earn points for every real money bet they place to level up through different loyalty tiers and gain access to different prizes and rewards. However, online casinos also offer exclusive welcome bonuses to reward players from the moment they sign up for an account, with all kinds of rotating and one-off promotional offers available exclusively to registered players.
Online casino welcome packages usually consist of a matched deposit bonus, which is where the casino will match the amount of real money you deposit up to a specified amount – for example, a 100% match up to $100 means if you deposit $100 of your own money the casino will give you an extra $100. Free spins to use on selected slot games also often form part of the welcome bonus.
More game variety online
When you enter a brick and mortar casino, you are limited to whichever games the operator has decided to offer. In the larger casinos like those in Las Vegas, Macau, Australia and Europe, the selection of land based games can seem deceptively large, with sprawling rooms full of electronic gaming machines and table games making it look like the variety is much more impressive than it really is. In reality, most land based casinos offer quite a limited selection of table games, typically favouring the games that hold a higher house edge and play in favour of the casino. The most popular game variants are offered and it’s rare that you’ll come across games that step outside the norm.
When playing at an online casino, the game variety is truly extensive – you can find almost any casino game variant in existence if you look hard enough. Online casinos offer classic games and rare variants, including those with high house edges and low house edges, so the choice lies entirely with the player. There are literally thousands of online slot games to sample, with games from leading software developers like Microgaming, NetEnt, BetSoft, Quickspin, Playtech, iSoftBet, Play’n Go and many more, with game themes and features you won’t find in a land based slot machine. For those partial to luck-based games, online casinos also offer virtual scratch cards, number games like bingo and keno and other niche games you won’t find in a land based casino.
Table game variety online
In terms of table and card games, here’s just a sample of the variety you’ll find within the virtual walls of a single online casino:
Blackjack – Classic Blackjack, Atlantic City Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, Vegas Downtown Blackjack, Multi-Hand Blackjack, Blackjack Pro, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Pontoon, Pirate 21, Spanish 21, Super 7 Blackjack, Double Exposure Blakcjack, European Blackjack, Big Five Blackjack, Super Fun 21
Roulette – American Roulette, European Roulette, French Roulette, Multi-Wheel Roulette, Premiere Roulette, Wheel of Riches, Spingo, English Roulette
Poker – Three Card Poker, Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud, Hold’em High, High Speed Poker, Cyberstud Poker, Triple Pocket Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker, Casino Hold’em, Oasis Poker
Other – Baccarat, Punto Banco, Craps, Triple Chance Hi/Lo, Red Dog
For those who want to enjoy this game variety but miss the social atmosphere of playing in a real life casino, live dealer gaming is also available online. Live dealer games are hosted by real human dealers (usually attractive women) and streamed in real time using live video feeds, so you get to play against a real person and interact with others while still enjoying the convenience of online play.
When comparing all the features above, it’s easy to see that online casinos offer a solid alternative to land based gambling. While nothing can beat the thrill and excitement of a night out with friends at a real life casino, the Internet offers a great alternative to those seeking a more convenient platform.