Gambling for all of human history up until recently has been an activity conducted by groups of people in person. If someone wanted to play a game of poker or slots, they had to physically get up and go to a casino or a friend’s house to play the game. However, technology has thrown a new dimension into a static approach to gambling. With the emergence of more advanced technology, new abilities to gamble through these technologies have arisen. Does this technology mean that people no longer follow the old ways of gambling? People still frequent casinos and gambling amongst friends over a glass of beer, but the rise of the best offshore books means all of this can be done at home or anywhere on a mobile device.
Below, we will examine how technology has become more integrated into people’s daily lives and has changed gambling habits.
The beginning
While it sometimes seems like the internet has been around forever, it has only been available to the general public for roughly forty years. Not many people knew what to make of this new technology in its infancy, but the gambling industry quickly realized that it would be an integral part of their business model, or at least had the potential to be.
By the late 1990s, online gambling sites began to appear.
As with many internet phenomena, the growth was gradual, primarily limited to games like bingo and other miniature games. Although some people flocked to these sites for a more convenient gambling experience, they failed to gain significant momentum in their initial years. Additionally, online gambling was, and still is, not universally legal. Many states were cautious about allowing unrestricted access to online gambling, fearing the consequences of widespread availability. So, sites offering online poker or placing bets on sporting events were not widely available.
These factors contributed to the sluggish growth of online gambling for nearly two decades. During this period, traditional casinos continued to attract visitors at rates consistent with those seen before the internet’s introduction.
The big moment
Delaware, in 2012, was the first state in America to open their population to online gambling. Once they took the first step, it helped alleviate the stigma over states until that point, leading several other states to legalize it.
This initial wave of legalization was a tremendous development for the industry, which no longer had to subdue themselves to align with state law. Now, casinos across the country offered their services to the states that allowed it, and independent websites began emerging. The difference, however, with this wave of expansion of the online gambling industry was how far technology had come since the 90s.
Unlike in the 90s, computers and cell phones have become standard features in human lives. By 2012, it was almost unheard of for a person not to have a phone or a computer, which meant that more people had access to gambling sites. There was also the development of apps. So, instead of a person having to go home and play a game of poker, they simply needed to pull out their phone and open an app, giving people 24/7 access to gambling sites.
Where do things stand now?
Gambling habits have drastically changed thanks to state laws and technological advancements. In 2023, the online gambling industry was valued at 11.68 billion dollars. Mobile apps have continued to expand, advancing in what they offer people, and all industries that can profit from this model have taken advantage. Not only do casinos offer online gambling with games like poker and blackjack, but the NBA also allows fans to wager on games, the same as the MLB, NHL, etc.
The online gambling world has also leveraged technology in other ways to enhance the player experience. Now, players can play with other people around the globe using webcams. If someone wants to play blackjack, they can play live with an actual person acting as the dealer.
Once upon a time, it seemed unimaginable that you could play slot machines anywhere but in person, yet this is now widely available online. Some companies are even venturing into AI to enhance the player experience.
Technology has made gambling more convenient.
This simplicity does not mean that people still do not frequent brick-and-mortar casinos. In-person playing at casinos still holds massive sway over people because casinos act as more than just a place to gamble but also a place to socialize. So, while people have been going to online gambling in more significant numbers, their habits have not changed so much that they would not consider going to a traditional casino to enjoy some drinks and play a few games. Technology has simply given people another option on how to gamble without entirely eradicating the old way.
Conclusion
People’s gambling habits have evolved since the emergence of the internet. As technology has further advanced, so have people’s habits. Online gambling, in the last decade, has picked up steam and become a major player in the gambling industry. People enjoy the convenience of playing on their phones or using the various features they offer to enhance their player experience. Some people who may have been nervous about going to a casino because of the large crowd now have another option. However, this does not mean the end of people going to a traditional casino, as they still have their role to play.
