2020 could be described a lot of ways. “Unprecedented” is perhaps the most popular. But for land-based casinos, “terrifying” might be a better description. But even as land-based casinos struggle, online gaming platforms have thrived. Indeed, online casinos and sports betting sites might describe 2020 as an unexpected boon in terms of fresh interest and revenue.
Land-Based Casinos Struggle in the Wake of Coronavirus
Last year was not a good year to be in the brick-and-mortar casino business anywhere around the globe. And as we move forward into 2021, land-based casinos are still facing a lot of restrictions.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that nearly every casino n Atlantic City took losses in 2020, saying, “Only one casino, the Golden Nugget, took in more money in 2020 than it did in 2019. It won more than $415 million, an increase of nearly 10% over the previous year.” Every other area casino suffered because of the lockdowns.
The worst of casinos’ struggles in most locations fell during the earlier part of 2020. That was when we saw most of the strictest lockdown protocols in place. Nonetheless, many land-based establishments are still having a hard time.
Chicago Tribune reports, “All five casinos in Northwest Indiana saw their revenues drop year-over-year in December as they continued to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenues declined 13.5% at the five casinos together, slipping from $78.82 million in December 2019 to $68.15 million last month.”
How quickly will things turn around for offline casinos? That will likely vary significantly by location. Vaccines are getting out faster in some countries, states, and communities than in others. Land-based casinos will not be able to offer the same experience they used to until COVID-19 is under control. So, in some locations, casinos may start to recover soon. In others, they could struggle for a long time.
Online Gaming is Growing
2020 may have been bad for casinos in the offline world, but it wasn’t all bad news for online gaming establishments. Not only has online betting given gamblers an alternative to land-based casinos, but it has also provided people all around the world a safe entertainment option during the pandemic. So, even those who didn’t gamble online in the past have started to discover its fun and convenience.
As reported here in January 2021, “With full lockdown measures still enacted in Northern Ireland, it is expected that many citizens will turn to online gambling as weeks spent in-doors turn into months. The first lockdown in March 2020 witnessed a large increase in online gambling and betting. Almost 1 million more bets were placed during lockdown one across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.”
The article references stats which show that UK online gambling bets are up 17% since March 2020. So, even as vaccines bring hope for fighting coronavirus, the upward trend in online gambling seems poised to continue.
Video Games and Esports are Also on the Rise
As the virus has kept many people from their old hobbies, video gaming has also surged since the pandemic started. And one area where video games and online gambling overlap is with respect to esports betting.
The Washington Post wrote earlier in 2020, “The video game industry continues to see an impressive jump in both revenue and attentiveness to esports from major media companies as coronavirus-related restrictions roll into May, keeping millions of people at home and searching for new forms of entertainment.”
So, this is another area where we can continue to expect growth in 2021. The return of traditional sports may slightly dampen that growth, but many people who started betting on esports last year will continue to do so this year.
It is Now Easier Than Ever to Find Top Online Casinos and Sports Betting Sites Worldwide
Perhaps it is no surprise that options for online gaming continue to expand rapidly around the globe. In South Africa, for example, virtual sports and betting technologies provider GoldenRace has just received a certification.
Indeed, gamblers flocking to South African online casinos can take advantage of huge bonuses going into 2021 as well as an expanding selection of slots and table games. Gamblers no longer need to be located anywhere near Las Vegas to enjoy the Vegas Strip experience in the comfort and safety of their homes.
Whatever you like to bet on, whether it is sports, esports, or casino games, placing a bet is now as simple as opening your browser on your laptop, desktop, or mobile device. Whether you are in South Africa, the UK, the US, or most other regions, you do not need to gamble your health to wager your money.
Hopefully the struggle of land-based casinos is nearing an end. But we have no idea what the future will bring with respect to new strains of coronavirus or other pathogens. At least amid all that uncertainty, we know that the world of online betting will be there to entertain us.