At times, it can feel as if online casinos have been around forever. That is because they are now so ubiquitous – and so popular – that it is hard to imagine a time when they did not exist.
The simple fact of the matter though, is that they have only been a part of life since the 1990s. It was in 1994 that the very first casino site debuted on the internet.
That site was extremely basic compared with the casinos of today though. The graphics were functional and the web design left much to be desired.
It was not until the new century that online casinos started to gain in popularity. They were helped by improvements in technology that led to developments like live casinos. They also benefited from the internet becoming a more mainstream thing.
That explains how and why they rose, but not why they have stayed on top. This article will look at some reasons for that.
They offer very attractive bonuses
If you check out a top online casino like the Rainbow Riches Casino, one of the first things you will notice is the bonuses. These are absolutely essential to the digital casino business model.
Bonuses are utilised to bring new players to the sites, which they have been very successful at doing. Almost all casino sites offer attractive welcome bonuses for just that reason and winning over new customers is how any business stays on top.
That has to be balanced by the retention of existing customers though. Thus, bonuses have enabled the sites to consolidate and expand their user bases.
They can provide convenient play
A second reason for the continuing popularity of online casinos is the level of convenience they offer. If someone fancies playing one of the games, all they have to do is create an account with the site and deposit some money.
That is a lot easier than trying to find your nearest bricks and mortar casino and heading out to it on a cold night. Online casinos are also available at all times – there are no opening hours.
This convenience has been enhanced even further by the emergence of mobile casinos. These have improved the experience for players by letting them play casino games from any location.
They are becoming more secure
One thing that everyone knows about the internet is that there is lots of cyber crime on it. That used to be a big concern when it came to casino sites, but not so much anymore – thanks to advances in security technology.
They have allowed the sites to introduce new software for keeping customer data safe. Perhaps the most notable example is SSL encryption software, which disguises sensitive data so that it cannot be read by anyone who does not have authorisation.
Casino sites are also exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence to track user behaviour and flag up possible fraud. It is not hard to see how all of this makes the experience better for players, as they can relax knowing their data is protected.
They are providing bigger and better gaming options
The most important thing at an online casino is the games and they are another reason why the sites remain popular. When online gambling really started to take off, it would have been easy for casino sites to rest on the laurels of that initial success.
If they had decided to do that, it is likely that their popularity would have been short-lived. People have lots of entertainment choice now and if they got bored with the same old games, they would quickly move on to something else.
The operators of the sites understood that and they have continually refreshed their gaming offer. They have added the latest cutting edge slot machines and introduced live table gaming via video stream. This has kept their popularity rising because the gaming has stayed fun.
They are exploring the potential of new technology
The final reason why casino sites are retaining their popularity is their willingness to embrace the potential of technology. In addition to the live casino gaming mentioned above, the sites are also exploring the possibilities of augmented reality and virtual reality.
They can make casino games more immersive and more fantastical. In turn, that will make the games attractive to a wider audience.
Technology has been central to the success of online casinos from the start and it will ensure their popularity in the future.
There are lots of reasons why casino sites remain popular, but at the centre of it all is the way that developments in technology have allowed the sites to evolve and improve.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the author’s opinion and not investment advice – it is provided for educational purposes only. By using this, you agree that the information does not constitute any investment or financial instructions. Do conduct your own research and reach out to financial advisors before making any investment decisions.