The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world we live in. Businesses are having to close and adapt how they are offering products and services to customers. People are having to stay at home more and work from home. But what impact is the pandemic having on gambling culture and player’s behavior? Let’s take a closer look at the facts that have been gathered.
Casinos Forced to Closed
When COVID-19 started to spread, it was clear that the normal way of life had to change. In other words, people could not be safely gathering in public places where the transmission would be easier due to both the gatherings and if singing or large amounts of talking happened. In particular, casinos and other gambling venues, such as lotteries and bingo halls would have to close. This has been in most places in Europe to Australia, as well as Canada and the United States.
As anyone would expect the closure of casinos meant that in-person gambling dropped dramatically. Casinos experienced a huge decrease in revenue during the height of the pandemic. For example, revenues of UK casinos dropped by at least 50 percent, as well as a 15-day closure in Macau leading to a whopping 88 percent drop in revenue.
Boost in Online Gambling
Despite in-person gambling taking a hit, online casinos have seen a boost in activity. Indeed, more people are spending time at home and are looking for ways to have fun and entertain themselves. One way they are doing this is gambling online since their favorite establishment is closed. While there was an increase happening with the online gambling industry before the pandemic, this time in history has led to a further increase, with new and experienced players looking to stay entertained.
Online operators are able to offer everyone’s favorite casino games. From blackjack and poker to slot machines, most games are available online and are able to be played whenever someone wants. This on-demand experience is something that a lot of people cannot enjoy at their local casino right now. What’s more, there is the lure of promotions and bonuses, which mean players have the opportunity to win more money. They add excitement to gambling and increase the chances of winning.
But players will have to be careful that they do not fall into a trap with gambling. In other words, the on-demand experience has the potential to lead to problems for those struggling mentally while self-isolating. This will be something that has to be monitored by operators. Indeed, there are some bringing in regulations for players.
The convenience that is offered by an online experience may be something that stays after the pandemic is over. When it is safe to return, people will go back to their local casino. But it will be interesting to observe how the online industry adjusts to this change. If it is like other technology out there, it is likely to be unaffected and traditional casinos may still feel the impact of COVID-19 before this year.
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
