Why Are Online Casinos So Popular Today in the UK
Since the late 17th century, when the UK government authorized some aspects of gambling, the nation has witnessed tremendous growth in the industry. The sanctioning of online gambling way back in 2005 is a further testament to how seriously the UK government and players from the United Kingdom feel about betting and online casino gambling.
For over a decade, the best UK casino gambling sites have set the bar high and led the way for other casinos in the global iGaming industry to emulate. However, once in a while, the age-old question of ‘why online casinos are so popular in the UK’ arises. This post highlights five reasons why we think this is so.
Online casino gambling has been popular in the UK since the first iGaming sites were granted licensing privileges in 2005. However, these pioneering sites were only creating a new market for an industry where eager and willing customers were just itching to start gambling online.
From its early days, the online casino scene has never looked back, with new online casinos springing up almost monthly. But while it is generally accepted that the UK public loves to gamble, the rise in popularity of online gambling in the UK can also be attributed to the reasons highlighted below.
Safe and Secure Gaming
The first reason why the popularity of internet gambling has gone through the roof in the UK is because of its comparative safety. For a long time now, land-based casino gambling has been the mainstay for most gamblers, but this form of gambling exposed them to several risks.
For one, carrying huge amounts of money in public is never safe, and many gamblers were at risk of being mugged. With online gambling hubs, you play in the safety of your home. You transact business online by depositing funds into your gaming account using online payment methods. Whatever banking method you choose to use, you do so in your home and away from the prying eyes of hoodlums.
In addition to this, internet casinos operating in the UK are licensed by the Gambling Commission. They observe strict security protocols involving technologically advanced firewalls and SSL encryptions to protect customers’ confidential financial data from cybercriminals.
Also, the games on offer on these sites are deemed fair by independent auditing companies who certify the Random Number Generators (RNG) used in running the games. Land-based casinos only provide security for customers within the four walls of the casino, but not outside of them, where most theft occurs.
Access to a Wide Variety of Casino Gaming
With brick-and-mortar platforms, you have a limited number of games available to you at one single platform. Some serious gamblers would end up casino hopping, jumping from one casino to another to get their fill of playing their favorite slot, card, or table games.
However, with the advent of iGaming, a single internet UK casino site can have hundreds of virtual games in its collection. These games include classic, new, and popular video slot machines, card, table, and live games. Access to many games has driven more people, including die-hard land-based casino players, to invest their time and money in online platforms.
A Cost-effective and Time-Saving Option
UK iGaming sites are cost-effective compared to brick-and-mortar casinos. Imagine traveling tens of kilometers every day to a land-based casino and then booking a room in a nearby motel or hotel. Imagine spending hundreds of pounds on feeding, transportation, lodging, etc.
These expenses can be avoided with online gambling, making it even more popular amongst new and experienced gamblers in the UK. Playing games from home also saves you valuable time. You do not have to spend hours on the road just to get to a casino or on your way back from a trip to an out-of-town casino.
Availability of Bonus Offers
It is probably the one singular thing separating land-based casinos from online ones. Bonus offers are more readily available online than they are offline. Many UK gambling sites offer juicy bonuses and promo offers to entice new and existing customers. Newbies can get a welcome bonus, a no deposit free bonus credit, or a deposit match bonus offer.
Casinos also offer multiple free spins on online slot machines without any initial deposit required. More experienced punters can tap into the VIP or Loyalty Programs available on top casino sites to benefit from several exciting offers, including daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal bonuses, cashback offers, bonus spins, etc.
Convenient Mobile Gameplay
Another reason iGaming is so popular in the UK is the compatibility of casino sites and games with mobile devices. Many sites offer free-to-download apps designed for iOS and Android OS smartphones and tablets. These mobile applications allow punters to play loads of games by top software developing firms like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, NetEnt, Nextspin, Betsoft, Microgaming, etc.
Many punters now prefer playing their favorite games on their mobile devices while in transit. In addition, mobile payment options exist with mobile networks offering mobile billing for gambling.
The UK is a land of opportunity for owners of internet gambling hubs and punters. Most players in the UK prefer gambling online because of greater safety, cost and time-saving benefits, access to many exciting games, better bonuses, and convenient mobile gambling.
