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If you love to play casino games, you’ve got two options: play online or visit a brick-and-mortar gambling establishment. Both of these options carry attractive pros and negatives that might put you off depending on your personal situation. We’re about to compare the two on a number of points, but before we do, know that we can’t make a decision for you; it’s all about what you personally prefer and how you want to play your casino games. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of online casinos and land-based casinos.
You can’t beat the physical experience
While many online platforms do attempt to immerse the player with good theming and design, there’s just no replacement for physically being in a casino. Something about the flashing lights, glitzy decor, and range of machines and tables on offer just screams “Vegas chic” like an online site never will. If you’re putting on a party for your birthday or an anniversary and you want to incorporate gambling into the celebrations, then there’s no substitute for the real thing, no matter how good some online casinos look.
Winner: Physical casinos
Online casinos have much better game variety
Sometimes, the standard casino favourites – roulette, poker, blackjack – just won’t cut it for you. Occasionally, you want to strike out for something stranger. When that desire strikes, physical casinos simply won’t do the trick. They’re always limited by just how many machines they can actually fit into the building, and this often means they will prioritise favourites that they know will bring in the punters. This won’t happen with online casinos, meaning you’ll often find more leftfield or unusual casino games on online platforms.
Winner: Online casinos
Physical casinos have better security
Some people simply can’t abide the thought of playing casino games without the watchful eye of a security guard nearby. Physical casinos are able to employ actual security staff to watch transactions and make sure no undesirable elements are hanging around. That’s not true of online casinos; although their security protocols are often excellent, they can’t quite match the reassuring presence of a person who will take care of any altercations.
Winner: Physical casinos
Online casinos offer much better choice
When it comes to having a range of options, online casinos beat their land-based counterparts, hands down. Whatever your personal preferences or desires, you’ll definitely find an online casino that will cater to you. The physical casinos you can visit are limited by how far you’re willing to travel; you might not live near any land-based casinos, which means you’d have to go pretty far before you reach one. If choice is your deciding factor, we think you need to be playing online.
Winner: Online casinos
Online casinos have better bonuses
Online casino bonuses frequently fluctuate and change. Generally speaking, it’s easier for online casinos to entice new players in with bonuses (although this isn’t always the case), because their online status allows them to spend a little more money on attracting new customers. Physical casinos will, of course, have offers for new punters, but they’re usually not as compelling as those offered by their online counterparts, so we’re giving this one to online casinos.
Winner: Online casinos
Physical casinos are better for socialising
Many online casinos come complete with chat rooms now, in which you can talk to fellow guests while you’re playing. However, this doesn’t quite compare to the experience of actually interacting with other guests at a real casino. Sitting alongside someone as they tee up a dice roll and chatting with them about nothing in particular is part of the romantic casino experience, and we wouldn’t miss it for the world. Sorry, online casinos, but land-based establishments have you beat here.
Winner: Physical casinos
Online casinos are better for not socialising
In many cases, when you’re playing a casino game, you don’t necessarily want the hum and chatter that a real casino would bring. You just want to sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy the game. If that’s the case, then you’re much better served by visiting an online casino, where social interaction is usually optional. Even in games of poker – traditionally a game based around observation and conversation – you can opt for silent versions, thus eliminating this potentially awkward aspect of your entertainment.
Winner: Online casinos
Physical casinos are better on holiday
What is a trip to Vegas without a flutter in the casinos? Online casinos simply can’t compare to the ritzy, glitzy experience of a Vegas gambling house, and that’s why physical casinos are much better for incorporating into a trip. You won’t create unforgettable memories by sitting and staring at your smartphone or tablet (unless, of course, you meet someone special in a casino chat room!); you’ll do so by actually gambling in a real casino.
Winner: Physical casinos
Online casinos offer currency and language conversion
Depending on where you are in the world, you may wish to access an online casino in a different territory. Thankfully, you can do this with ease; where going to a physical casino might be difficult, you can easily avail yourself of an online casino’s services simply by typing in a URL (or using a VPN if you need to). If you want to play with others around the world, convert your winnings into a different currency, or simply experience the casino games of a different culture, then online casinos are where you should be!
Winner: Online casinos