Advantages of Online Casinos
With the exception of individuals who live very far away from a casino or really dislike technology, it's pretty unlikely that someone who likes to gamble will ever stick solely with either online gambling or land-based venues. The really nice thing is that there's no need to do so. While there's a healthy sense of competition between the online and offline gambling world, neither is actively seeking to shut the other down.
It might surprise you to know that for every four cents gambled, in the United States anyway, only one cent is gambled online. We say 'only' because online gambling has opened up a whole new world of casino gaming that's, arguably, much more accessible than land-based venues. Until fairly recently many land-based casinos required players to sign up for a membership before they could play. Although this didn't usually cost anything, it served as a prohibitive measure for some.
It's safe to say that gambling has always been something of a national pastime here. A survey in 2006 found that less than 10% of South Africans have never gambled.
Why Are They So Popular?
Despite there being so many land-based casinos in South Africa, thousands of residents still play online too. Why not just stick with offline casinos? Like us, they probably enjoy some of the key advantages online gambling has over playing in a bricks and mortar casino. A few of the positives that spring to mind include:
- Easier to play - There's no long walk, drive or bus journey to get to an online casino. It can get hot in South Africa, and sometimes staying at home and putting the air conditioning on is just what you want when gambling.
- More control over time - Unless you're playing at a live dealer casino, you can take as much time as you want planning your next move. This is particularly useful if you're trying out a gambling system or just want to keep a close eye on your bankroll.
- No dress code - Some land-based casinos have a smart dress code. Online gambling is great if you don't want to have to wear your Sunday best. You don't even need to get dressed at all.
- Wider range of games - Want to try an obscure variation that you've never played before? You're almost certain to find it online. The same isn't necessarily true of an offline casino. Online gambling sites almost always offer a superior selection of games.
- Deposits/withdrawals - Walking home or to the bank after a big win can be very nerve-wracking. The option to have winnings deposited straight into your account is much more convenient.
- Wider range of games - Want to try an obscure variation that you've never played before? You're almost certain to find it online. The same isn't necessarily true of an offline casino. Online gambling sites almost always offer a superior selection of games.
- Games for every budget - Internet gambling sites offer games at every conceivable price point. Unless you are playing slots, live South African casinos tend to have rigid table minimums and maximums.
- Better banking - Walking home or to the bank after a big win can be very nerve-wracking. The option to have winnings deposited straight into your account is much more convenient.
- Free games - Most online casinos let you try almost any game for free. It's a great way to get familiar with the rules or find your new favourites.
- Better payouts - Internet gambling sites have lower overhead than their offline counterparts. Just think about how much they'll save on construction costs alone. That savings is passed onto you in the form of better odds and payouts.
- Big sign up bonuses - With a thousand different online casinos to choose from, sites need to stand out from the crowd. The best gambling sites will earn your attention by giving you free cash just for signing up.
- No commitment - Since you can start enjoying online games in seconds with zero travel, internet casinos are perfect if you want to play a couple of hands. Making the trek to a live casino to play for a minute or two doesn't make sense.
- Always open - Online casinos are always compatible with your schedule since they operate around the clock. While some live South African casinos are open 24 hours, table games rarely operate all night long.
The Evolution Of Internet Gambling
As technology improves, the graphics and sound quality of online casinos are continually improving. We're a little way away from a fully immersive virtual reality casino, but the online experience is getting closer and closer to that of a real casino. Most sites now offer live dealer games, which broadcast a live table from the casino floor directly to your device. It's fully interactive, works in real time, and features your choice of dealer. When you consider that you're never more than a few steps or a couple of clicks away from being able to play, it's hard to discount the convenience of online gambling.
Between land-based venues and online casinos, players have thousands of places to choose from. If you don't have time to sort through that list, you can always rely on us to help you find the best venues to play at. There are lots of great choices no matter what, when, and where you choose to play.
