The Future of Brick-And-Mortar Casinos
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Online poker has completely revolutionized the poker world. The technology brings a whole new level of convenience for players and organizers alike, so it’s easy to see why online poker is the most popular way to play.
As we go further into the age of online poker, one of the most common concerns is the state of physical casinos. What happens to the traditional brick-and-mortar poker room when online is seemingly better in every way? Will casinos end up becoming obsolete? Today, we’ll answer all those questions and more, explaining how live casinos fit into the world of online poker.
A Brief History of Online Poker
The earliest form of online poker was invented in 1994, with people using Internet Relay Chat (IRC) to play poker through text. Four years later, the online card room Planet Poker opened, becoming the first website to offer poker games for real money.
More poker sites started appearing after 1999, but the online poker industry was still developing. It was only in 2003 that online poker exploded into the mainstream, thanks to Chris Moneymaker’s legendary World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event run. After winning his seat through an online satellite tournament, he won the Main Event as an amateur, inspiring many new poker players and proving online poker’s legitimacy.
Online poker’s popularity continued to grow until 2006 when the US government enacted the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), curbing online poker’s rapid development. In the 2011 “Black Friday” incident, the biggest remaining US-facing poker sites were shut down, which was catastrophic for online poker in America.
Nowadays, while online poker is only legal in a few US states, it’s incredibly popular worldwide. With over 100 million players globally, the online poker industry was valued at USD 86.12 Billion in 2022. The industry is only continuing to grow, projected to reach USD 283.42 Billion by 2032.
Why Online is the Best
There are numerous reasons why so many people prefer online poker to live. Let’s start with the most significant reason: Convenience.
As long as players have an internet connection, they can enjoy the luxury of playing poker from any location. You don’t need to schedule a trip to your local casino; you can play as much poker as you want from the comfort of your home. Mobile poker is also available, taking the convenience of online poker to the next level by allowing you to play wherever you go.
The increased competition in the online poker industry also ends up helping the players. You have far more options online, being able to go through many different casinos to find the games you enjoy. Online has much more variety in stakes and game formats. Organizing tournaments is also much easier online, so online satellite tournaments often act as qualifiers for larger events.
Players also get to enjoy site bonuses and tracking software. Playing online, you can record all your hands for analysis using special software, allowing you to easily understand your playstyle and what you need to work on.
Promotional offers and signup bonuses directly result from the competitive online poker industry; sites have to give you reasons to choose them over countless other competitors.
The Current State of Poker in Live Casinos
With all these reasons to play online, you may wonder whether live poker is even being played. Casinos themselves are doing fine; the US has leaned towards expanding the options for legal gambling, and the gambling industry earned a record $60 billion in revenue for 2022.
The answer to that question is yes, poker is still an undeniable casino staple. It’s difficult to find a casino not offering poker cash games, and the big poker tournaments like the WSOP and World Poker Tour (WPT) are still held in person.
The Live Casino Niche: Socialization
Live poker is still around and will likely stay that way for quite some time. Casinos fill a niche that current technology can’t, and one of the biggest ones is socialization.
Sure, most online poker sites offer text-based chat rooms for players. That doesn’t compare at all to physical table talk. It’s easy to make friends and strike up a conversation playing live poker, thanks to the infectious casino atmosphere, and it’s infinitely more engaging when you can see the people you’re talking to.
The Live Casino Niche: Atmosphere
The atmosphere is another huge selling point for live casinos. Poker is one of the many things available at a live casino; there are all sorts of amenities players have access to. Free drinks, great food, and other casino games are all available for people going to live casinos.
While online poker appeals to grinders by giving them tools like multi-tabling to maximize their potential profits, live casinos appeal to recreational players who aren’t just there to play poker.
The Live Casino Niche: Reputation and Safety
Finally, one of the biggest strengths of the live casino industry is the fact that it’s well-established. Big names like the Bellagio have been around for a while, cementing themselves as world-class establishments. Players can trust these casinos, which is especially important for high-stakes games.
While both live casinos and online poker sites have measures in place to protect their players’ funds, their security challenges differ. Live casinos have to guard against physical theft, while online platforms must continuously counter cyber threats. Cybersecurity is indeed a critical concern for online poker platforms, requiring robust encryption technologies and stringent security protocols. Notably, this doesn’t mean that only the biggest online poker sites can assure safety from cyber attacks. Many smaller platforms, particularly those technologically adept, prioritize user security and invest significantly in protective measures to earn players’ trust.
Online Poker's Ascendancy
Despite the astounding success of online poker, it is unlikely to render brick-and-mortar casinos obsolete any time soon. Although the digital realm delivers convenience, variety, and competitive advantages that have escalated its popularity to unprecedented levels, traditional casinos continue to hold their ground. They offer a unique and vibrant atmosphere, personalized socialization, and safety assurances that online platforms have yet to fully emulate. However, the explosion of online poker has undeniably reshaped the industry, setting a new standard of play, and potentially charting the course for the future of poker. As technology continues to advance, the balance may shift further in favor of online play, but the intrinsic allure of live casinos will not fade away entirely. They will continue to be cherished by a subset of players who find value in the physical, social, and atmospherical experience they provide.
