Gambling has been around for nearly as long as we have. Simple wagers have developed into multi-billion dollar global industries and the global gamble casino is as complex as it is lucrative. Thanks to a mixture of cutting edge technology and a relaxed approach to gaming, more people than ever are gambling on a daily basis. Online gambling has grown exponentially over the last 10 years, with the global gaming industry expected to be worth over $66 billion by 2020. Not many industries can boast such rapid expansion in a short period of time, so is this kind of growth sustainable?
One of the key reasons why gambling has exploded over the last few years is the ease of access. Thanks to the availability of smart devices, lightning fast internet connection speeds and an increased market presence, online gambling operators are able to access a huge customer base that is becoming more interested in spending money online. In the UK alone, consumers spent over £130 billion in 2016, a staggering figure that shows that internet purchases are now trusted and extremely frequent. Online gambling in particular falls into this category, with an unprecedented numbers of adults now owning one or more online gambling accounts.
Gambling was traditionally limited to a bookmakers, cruise ship, casino or to a game of poker at a friend’s house. The beauty of visiting an online casino or bingo website is that you don’t need to get dressed up, pay for an expensive taxi to the venue then pay any expensive entrance fees or overinflated drinks prices. Players can get stuck into some fun and action packed gameplay from the comfort of their own sofas, with the added bonus of not having to share your experience with irritating fellow players.
There is also a huge choice of betting options online. When online gambling first emerged in the late 1990s, games were simple 2D affairs that were cutting edge at the time, but the world of online gaming is now dominated by thrilling virtual environments that get pretty close to the ‘real life’ experience. Bingo translates particularly well to an online environment and online bingo has developed into a very successful sub-industry. Wink Bingo are one of the market leaders, offering a huge range of options for every budget and even free bingo games, the site has an easy to use interface that doesn’t sacrifice on style and a friendly community that welcomes both experienced bingo players and newbies. It is sites like Wink Bingo that have ensured that the ‘community’ element of bingo and gambling isn’t lost in the transition to an online offering.
The future of gambling looks very strong based on projected growth and player preferences. There are still plenty of untapped global markets and a whole new generation of younger player who are yet to discover the excitement of casino gaming, bingo or sports gambling. Technological developments are also helping greatly, with virtual reality and HD video streaming further enhancing the player experience. The big question however is whether bingo halls and physical casinos will still exist if the online experience continues to dominate.
