The world is never going to be the same. There have been pandemics in the past, and there will be some in the future, but the Coronavirus is by far the most influential pandemic that we’ve seen in our lives. While no pandemic lasts forever, the changes that COVID-19 wrought aren’t going away anytime soon, and some of them might even be permanent.
The tourism industry, the hospitality industry, and the gambling industry have all taken quite a significant hit from the pandemic. Some other industries haven’t suffered as much, but those three have experienced quite a shock.
Gaming, casinos, and gambling as a whole can often be a wholesome part of people’s leisure time activities, but unfortunately for some, they are finding it increasingly difficult to get their satisfaction during the Coronavirus situation.
In this article, we’ll explore the changes that the pandemic has brought to the world of casinos and gaming, how players are affected by the changes mentioned earlier, and we’ll also speculate on the future of the industry.
Fewer People Are Going to Brick and Mortar Casinos
Fewer people are going to land-based US casinos these days. While the amount of gamblers who like to play has remained pretty much the same, the Coronavirus isn’t kind to those who venture out to brick-and-mortar casinos. Some gamblers still enjoy the thrill, while others call it unnecessary – but at the end of the day, the bottom line is that real-life casinos can be hot spots for COVID-19.
So, if you were to go to a brick and mortar casino today, chances are that you’d find fewer players than in the past. Most people just aren’t too keen on visiting indoor spaces, especially those that house casinos.
More People Are Playing Casino Games Online
Just because the visitation to regular casinos is going down doesn’t mean that the amount of casino-goers is going down. Many people are now visiting online casinos, which can provide all the same thrills that regular casinos do, minus the glamour.
Online casinos are a simple, comfortable, and Coronavirus-free way for players to get their game on during the pandemic. Many cities are on lockdown, or have movement restrictions, thus, making online casinos the only option available.
Aside from the safety reasons, many gamblers find the selections of online casinos far more appealing. The digital landscape can house many types of games and enable users to enjoy them without ever leaving the comfort of their own home.
New Online Casinos Are Popping Up
Online casinos are growing by a considerable amount – and that’s almost solely because of the Coronavirus pandemic. In the U.S. the pandemic has temporarily closed many casinos which is a huge tax loss for a lot of states.
To compensate for this, many states are warming up to the idea of legalizing online gaming and online casinos as a whole to ensure a steady stream of revenue should this situation happen again in the future.
As the market is growing, the selection of online casinos is growing as well. This means there will be many new online casinos that will have to earn their customers loyalty, which directly translates into good deals, great no deposit bonuses, a wider selection of games and even free slot tournaments.
The online casino market is expected to reach USD 127.3 billion by 2027, and that’s in no small part due to the extra revenues it gained as a result of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
The Demand for Sports Betting Is Skyrocketing
There has always been a huge demand for sports betting, but the demand has only grown stronger in the wake of the Coronavirus. Watching sports is a viable pastime during the Coronavirus pandemic, and many people want to wager on it as a popular way to combine their love of gambling and sports.
Gamblers have figured out that perhaps sports betting is the perfect way to live with the Coronavirus pandemic. They are still getting the same thrill that betting gives off, but in a far more comfortable, safe, and virus-free way.
What Can We Expect For the Future of the Casino Industry?
No pandemic lasts forever, and it’s expected that once all of this blows over, brick and mortar casinos will again shine as they used to. But that’s not all that will happen. With so many casino players being stuck at home, online gambling has skyrocketed in popularity, and it’s going to remain a juggernaut even after the pandemic.
While the digital gambling world has experienced massive growth in the past decade, the virus has only expedited the situation to a whole new level, ensuring that the online casino world is here to stay.
In Conclusion
Whether the digital gaming world will replace the traditional casino is still up for debate. While it sure is comfortable to gamble without any pants from the comfort of your own home, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of winning a big jackpot at your favorite casino in person.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
