Amid the drastic changes we have all experienced in the past year, we are beginning to inch closer and closer to a post-covid society. Businesses are opening again, and people are finally starting to feel safe enough to frequently said businesses.
However, the future of the retail gambling industry still sits in the air as COVID-19 brought otherwise in-person players to the world of online casinos. With pandemic restrictions easing up nationwide and many land-based casinos re-opening their doors for the first time in over a year, some anticipate flurries of gamers as the summer approaches.
Even so, it is hard to predict how and where gamblers around the globe will bring their funds post-pandemic. Despite data showing that physical casinos have continued to produce more than 60% of all gaming revenues, many of these venues have shut down, some for good.
COVID Casino Closures
One of COVID’s most notable closures included Station Casinos’ slew of Las Vegas venues, such as The Palms and Texas Station. Although the brand has reopened a handful of its locations, it is speculated that some of these properties may be abandoned completely.
Even such revivals have their shortcomings. Many casinos are now operating with reduced staff and include an array of bulky, plexiglass barriers between players. Moreover, some casinos have condensed their playing areas and enforced social distancing guidelines.
For individuals who revel in the environment more than the gaming itself, restrictive casino openings are more than they could have hoped. However, many have found that the comfort of playing from home outweighs the familiarity of a poker room, in-person electronic slot machines, or a casino gaming floor.
Croquet & Crypto, Casinos Hold Back
It should be noted that COVID-related issues may not be the only reason for folks to stick with their online and/or mobile casinos. Many brick-and-mortar casinos are bound to their antiquated methods of play and payout.
Sports betting, for example, has risen exponentially in popularity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to state laws, however, most of these wagers must take place on offshore online casino servers. Even domestic online casinos struggle in overcoming the hurdle of sports betting.
Furthermore, as the access to and benefits of using cryptocurrency continue to grow, physical casinos have ultimately left themselves out of a lucrative sector of the gambling industry. Cryptocurrency payouts trump physical banknotes, as they have the potential to grow long after winnings have been collected.
In this way, players have the opportunity for bigger wins via a trusted online casino rather than a brick-and-mortar facility. Mobile gaming expands these possibilities ten-fold with the luxury of being able to play anywhere at any time.
While the return of physical casinos is one we anticipate, we also suggest browsing your online and mobile options. At the end of the day, you don’t have to pay a tab on drinks you make at home.