Online Betting Games vs. Real Casinos: What’s the Difference?

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Brick-and-mortar casinos have always been associated with peak gambling experiences. The thrill of live betting and real interactions with like-minded people add to the atmosphere of liveliness and excitement; however, geographical limitations make such casinos an inaccessible option for many.  

The phenomenon of online gambling has partially solved this problem. It’s been showing significant market growth due to its 24/7 availability and a lack of physical barriers, but many gamblers feel sceptical as they aren’t sure if playing online can replicate the experience of visiting an actual casino. Let’s establish the truth by studying the key differences between online betting platforms and land-based establishments.  

Game Variety

As you can probably imagine, online casino betting games tend to be more diverse than the options in land-based establishments. When browsing the Internet, you can choose anything you like, from crash games to real money pokies at onlinepokiesmates.com where various bonuses will make your experience even more satisfying. Physical casinos are more limited in this regard, so you can only play the games that are currently on offer.

Let’s do a more thorough comparison. 

Online Casinos

Apart from offering all the betting casino games under the sun, online platforms specialize in their different versions, too. Let’s say you enjoyed playing pokies: now you can find thousands of variations of this game, all with various RTPs, complexity levels, music, and graphics. 

Some examples of games you can enjoy online:

  • Roulette
  • Blackjack
  • Baccarat
  • Virtual sports
  • Thousands of slots

Since online space is limitless, such casinos often add new titles to their libraries. These could be the newest games from top providers, rare gems that few people have heard of, and hybrid titles that have just entered the market as test versions. You can try any game, and if you don’t like it, you can move on right away. 

Land-Based Casinos  

Real casinos offer some traditional games like cards, roulette, and slots, but other than this, their selections are limited. If a new popular game has just dropped, months may pass before casinos get the right to include it in their selection list. 

However, it doesn’t mean that real casinos are without advantages. They can offer:

  • Exclusive rooms for high rollers where such games as poker are played
  • In-person betting lounges where you can play in the company of like-minded people
  • Unique games that are accessible in land-based casinos and nowhere else

Obviously, you’ll be getting more physical interactions in land-based casinos, but you have to decide what matters more to you, game variety or social attributes. 

Bonuses and Payouts

Like with the variety of game selections, the principles of bonuses and payouts differ between physical and online casinos.

Getting Bonuses and Payments in Online Casinos

The competition in online casinos is particularly intense. Thousands of platforms are struggling to attract as many customers as possible, and to achieve this goal, they offer increasingly rewarding bonuses. The most common examples include:

  • Welcome bonuses. These are the returns on your deposits: they can be 100%, 200%, and even higher; in addition, you can get multiple free spins, but they are often applied to specific slots. 
  • No-deposit bonuses. Some online casinos allow betting without making a deposit first; as an alternative, they can offer free spins or a starting sum of money that will let you experience their title selections without any risks.
  • Loyalty perks. Online casinos have VIP clubs for high rollers; they come with extra bonuses and exclusive games.  
  • Free bets and free spins. As an online player, you can get multiple free spins and free bets as part of a seasonal promotion, birthday present, etc. 

You can access truly lucrative offers by watching out for odds, bonuses, and other online casino offers. Getting paid might be more complicated, though. 

Most online casinos follow the KYC principles, meaning that they require their players to submit some form of identity verification. Those who refuse to upload their documents cannot withdraw their money. Some platforms offer no ID payouts, but it takes effort to find them and make sure they are safe.

Typical payment methods range from Visa and MasterCard to e-wallets like Skrill and bank transfers. However, unless a casino also supports cryptocurrencies, you’ll have to wait from 24 hours to a week for your money to arrive.  

In addition, if you want to withdraw the money you won by using casino bonuses, you’ll have to face the wagering requirements first. It means that you’ll be expected to bet your winnings the required number of times before getting a chance to access them. Such a complex payout system is often considered a drawback of online casinos.   

Getting Bonuses and Payments in Land-Based Casinos

Real casinos offer fewer bonuses. You can get a free drink or a meal voucher, and that’s about it. However, the perk of such establishments is that the payouts are instant. Once you win, you can get these winnings right away, coming home with a substantial sum of money warming your pocket. 

Atmosphere & Experience    

While it might seem like land-based casinos have fewer perks, they still generate more money. In 2023, it made up about three-quarters of the gross gaming revenue, and that’s in the US alone. However, the revenue of online platforms increased by 46 percent from 2022, which shows that the difference is steadily closing. 

For now, land-based casinos stand out because they offer a more socially-oriented experience to gamblers. Many people surround you; the slot machines are ringing, live music is playing, and you can chat with a dealer or fellow players. You can also order a drink, use a SPA if it’s present, and bask in the atmosphere of luxury.

Online casinos are focused on privacy. While you might play with other real people, they will be just nameless images hiding behind the screens. Sure, there will also be a chat available, and you can enjoy HD streaming while trying sports betting casino games, but this experience cannot be compared to the real contact with real people. 

Choosing between Real and Online Casinos

Whether you play at a real or online casino doesn’t matter. You’ll still experience every essential element, from bonuses to shocking victories and bitter losses. 

Online casinos offer a wider range of game selections and a more diverse system of bonuses. In turn, land-based casinos provide a social experience that no site can recreate fully. Both versions of casinos are worth trying — all you have to do is establish which perks you prefer most.

Do you live in the vicinity of a real casino? Great, you can challenge yourself there and then compare your experiences. If there are no establishments like these nearby, try online betting to understand what you like. Later on, you can take a trip to a land-based casino to enjoy yourself.