The Differences In iGaming Between the East and West

Globalization has seen the world become a smaller place in recent years, and the ability to connect and communicate with people online has seen cultures and trends spread more easily. 

Despite this, there are still differences between Eastern and Western cultures that can be seen in everything from the food we eat to religion, fashion, and gaming preferences.

The ability to gamble online has created a new level of convenience for consumers and even made gambling possible in more prohibitive jurisdictions. This has seen a massive boost for the global gambling industry, but there are still major differences in how some consumers choose to gamble in different countries.

Eastern iGaming Trends

The Eastern gambling market is dominated by traditional games. Games like Hanafuda, Shogi, and Mahjong are all popular in Japan and China, while online casinos in Malaysia have seen Sic bo remain one of its most played games.

According to online gambling expert Nick Pappas, other popular markets include traditional casino games like blackjack and roulette, as well as more modern alternatives that include video poker and online slots.

Slot game themes can be tailored to different regions and many are based on pop culture franchises, mythology, and other options that appeal to specific markets.

Many of these games are routed in culture and serve as social interactions as well as games.

The Eastern attitude to gambling is often very different from the West, with luck and destiny often holding a spiritual meaning.

Because of this, many online games might use dragons or the color red which are often seen as lucky symbols. Numbers can often hold luck in some cultures, with Japan viewing the number 7 as lucky, the number 8 in China, and 9 in Vietnam.

While gambling is an incredibly popular activity in the East, there are still many countries that have outright bans or very strict regulations. The reasons why vary, but religious and cultural reasons are the biggest roadblocks for operators seeking legislative changes.

Western iGaming Trends

While Eastern countries typically favor more strategy-based games like sic bo and baccarat, the West is driven more by excitement and variety with poker and roulette being popular, but slots taking the crown.

The gambling industry in the West faces similar challenges in legislation, but many governments are more open to changes after seeing the performance, and potential tax revenues in countries that allow it.

The popularity of slot games is set to continue, with a higher percentage of younger players in the US playing them. 22% of consumers aged between 35 and 44 play slots compared with just 11% of people aged over 55. 

Slots make up more than a quarter of online casino’s revenue thanks to the thousands of games and developers on the market.

As technology continues to improve and smartphone proliferation in the West reaches saturation point, new games like crash games have also started to grow in popularity. These games were designed for the crypto market, which offers users a fast and secure way of depositing and withdrawing from modern casinos.

The Future of iGaming

It is impossible to predict exactly how the future of online gambling will pan out, but it is likely that the divide between Eastern and Western consumer behaviors will narrow. Consumers are far more willing to explore other cultures and trends, and developing mobile technology is providing a genuine alternative to in-person gambling experiences.

As operators continue to explore ways to attract new customers in a competitive market, the addition of more games could join payment methods and game tech as one of the best ways to keep consumers happy and engaged.