How Do Online Casinos Vary around the World?

Online gambling, in its many forms, has become a very popular pastime all around the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only are online casino games widely accessible and easy to play, they offer real financial incentives to players and provide an immersive experience that holds up to retail casinos. 

Recent statistics have estimated that global revenue for the online casino market will reach €32.69 billion this year, and the number of users will hit 124 million by 2027. Despite online casinos being so far-reaching, they vary considerably from country to country. We took a deeper look into what these differences are, from which games are played in separate regions, to how easy to access online gambling is.

What Are the Most Popular Online Casino Games Globally?

The majority of online casinos, regardless of where in the world you are, will offer a similar range of games. Of course, all of the classics are included, such as poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and so on. Some of the most well-known casino picks (poker, slot machines) will have their own apps, entirely devoted to both solo and multiplayer versions of the game. 

However, each country has its selection of casino games that are the most popular amongst its citizens. For example, Japanese online casinos offer some more unique options, namely pachinko and mahjong. Pachinko is sometimes referred to as the Japanese answer to slot machines, and involves trying to land small pinballs into particular areas of the machine. Mahjong is a tile game that originated in China but is popular all over Asia and beyond, and is often played in a social gambling environment. 

The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has some very different trends when it comes to online casino games. Brits love to place a bet, and the convenience and accessibility of virtual casinos has caused their popularity in the country to skyrocket. In data from 2020, it was reported that the gross gambling yield (GGY) for the UK was £5.89 billion alone. This amount comes from online casinos, other forms of online gambling such as sports betting, and the lottery draw, amongst other things. Some of the most popular casino games for British residents include poker, roulette, and slot machines. 

The Accessibility of Online Casinos

Although online casinos are becoming more available all over the world, their accessibility does still depend on which country you are in. This is because some regions have strict gambling laws, and either impose restrictions on the activity or outlaw it altogether. Having said that, the rules surrounding virtual betting are changing constantly, so it is always worth double-checking if regulations have been updated or not in any given country.

An example of how varied the accessibility of online casinos can be is the United States. Each state in the country has its own laws surrounding the practice. Some do not allow any forms of wagering to take place, virtual casinos included, whilst others encourage online casinos and have become known as destinations for gambling enthusiasts. New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are all states where online casinos have been established and where it is legal for residents to partake. For parts of the US where it is not yet legalized, there are other options. Many choose to use offshore online casinos, or travel to neighboring states to make use of their casinos. 

Casino Differences across the World 

Although online casinos are used throughout the world, no two are the same. Depending on the country and the casino provider, there will be some important differences between picks, including which games are included, how they work, extra features and bonuses, and more.

Additional Features

As well as hosting all of the classic games, most online casinos will offer their users some additional features to encourage them to sign up with their app rather than with a competitor. Some casinos have some impressive sign-up bonuses or referral schemes, rewarding their new players with free games or credits to play. 

Another enticing element of many online casino games is gifts for completing certain levels or reaching certain achievements. This could come in the form of free plays, unlocking new games, or even depositing game currency into a user’s account!

Available Games

Where players are in the world will dictate (to an extent) which online casino games are available to them. Although most apps all over the world will provide most of the usual suspects, like poker or roulette, there are also some noticeable differences. In Asia-based online casinos, you’ll be likely to find games like mahjong or teen patti, whereas playing these on a UK or US casino app would be far less usual. 

Payment Methods

One of the things that makes online casinos so popular no matter where you go is the possibility of earning money. However, not all providers offer the same opportunities. For the countries that  allow online crypto casinos, the potential is huge as any earnings can be withdrawn as crypto coins or NFTs, and the apps usually also allow players to deposit crypto into their accounts.

As well as this, any deposits and withdrawals are able to be instantaneous and much faster than wire transfers. Once crypto is earnt, it can be transferred into fiat currency! Cryptocurrency online gambling is not regulated globally yet, but is available in the UK and parts of the US and Canada, to name a few countries. 

Final Thoughts

It’s pretty clear that online casinos are going nowhere, and that we’re only going to see more and more of them pop up in the next few years. We are seeing a trend of the legalization of online gambling globally, but this does not mean the homogenization of virtual casinos. 

There are sizable disparities between online casinos from country to country, from their legality to the games that a population engages with the most. However, there are a few things that seem to bind global gambling citizens together — a love for gaming, financial incentives, immersive technology, and a great range of games!