While 2021 has been a very challenging year for many businesses, there is one industry that has been on the rise despite all the uncertainty caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The online casino segment in the US has soared in the last couple of years, but 2021 brought an even more rapid expansion. The reasons are many, and we will examine them in detail below. We will also explain how such changes impact casino enthusiasts and – more precisely – what benefits they bring to players.
The US Online Gambling Legislative Frame
May 2018 witnessed a historic move on behalf of the US Supreme Court, which decided to legalize sports betting throughout the country. The federal ban was lifted after it was pronounced unconstitutional. Thus, individual states were given the power to decide on their own if they wanted to legalize sports betting for their citizens.
Since then, states have been steadily relaxing their policies on gambling. Naturally, the iGaming industry was quick to jump on board with these exciting changes. Local brands have flourished, and foreign operators, mainly from the UK and the rest of Europe, began eyeing the US market as well, thus paving the way for promising partnerships.
At present, things look quite encouraging in terms of growth for US sports betting operators and online casinos. However, what are the other key factors that contributed to this fast-paced market development?
The Boom of Mobile Technology
Nowadays, there is hardly an adult in the US who does not possess a smart device. User interfaces are becoming easier to use, and gadgets are getting smaller and more convenient to carry around.
In addition, digital banking solutions are increasingly perfecting their services. Many of them offer instant deposits and withdrawals in a highly secure environment and at quite reasonable fees. There are plenty of mobile apps and eWallets that strive to provide stellar service to the iGaming clientele.
On top of that, software gaming providers go out of their way to deliver innovative products with enhanced features and seamless gameplay. More often than not, the sound and graphics are immaculate and allow you to taste the real-life experience of a brick-and-mortar casino. For example, you can play live dealer games with real croupiers that are live-streamed from physical studios across the world, and you will never feel the difference between a virtual and a land-based establishment. Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps – the iGaming industry is overflowing with classic and niche variations of these games that can satisfy even the most demanding players.
If you are curious to see how mobile technology has evolved throughout the years, please see the video below:
Public Health
The global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also largely affected the US. Players were forced to stay at home, and gambling online became their only option for quite a while. Even after on-ground betting establishments opened, they imposed certain restrictions on the number of visitors to observe the public health security measures. Thus, many people were still unable to attend a brick-and-mortar casino. During these troubled times, quite a few land-based gambling enthusiasts discovered the advantages of betting from your device from the comfort and safety of your home.
The Appeal of Sports Betting
Sports wagering is a much-enjoyed gambling format worldwide. It is interesting to note that around 80 % of sports bets in the US are placed online. Even when it comes to sports like horseracing, where betting usually happens on-site, we are observing tendencies for players to increasingly go mobile. Some of the most popular sports to bet on in the US include:
- Football
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Darts
- Boxing and mixed martial arts
- And more.
Bonuses and Promotions
When it comes to promotional deals, online casinos are unsurpassed in their generosity. Players get to enjoy all kinds of welcome bonuses, regular promotions, special offers, loyalty programs, and competitions. Such marketing tools allow them to play more and increase their winning chances tremendously.
Low Costs
The above paragraph leads us to the next point: online gambling is much cheaper than wagering at a land-based casino. Not only do you get many bonuses, but you also do not have any transportation expenses. On top of that, you do not have to buy overpriced drinks and snacks or pay an entrance or a parking fee.
Trustworthiness and Security
The truth is, back in the day when online gambling was still emerging on the market, and things were unregulated, more than a few players had fallen victim to fraudulent activities. However, nowadays, the situation is radically different.
Online gambling operators have to comply with very strict measures and regulations if they want to operate on the US market. Security technologies are advancing at an incredible pace only to protect your player identity and banking information.
Further, online casinos take additional precautions, such as due diligence, employee checks, supervision and monitoring, etc. You can safely deposit and withdraw in no time and stay protected throughout the entire process.
Conclusion
In view of all said above, we can safely conclude that the online gambling segment in the US will continue to grow. At present, several states are expected to alleviate their legislative restrictions by the end of 2021 or in 2022. Thus, players will have more opportunities to choose from, and the competition among operators will become tougher.
In addition, we are expecting some interesting industry movements. New domestic operators are probable to emerge and some popular international online casinos might enter into local partnerships, thus delivering world-class digital gambling products to the large US player base.