Online gambling has skyrocketed in popularity in the past decade, even though the first online casino began in 1994. In 2016 experts estimated the online gambling market would increase in volume from $45.86 billion to $56.05 billion by 2018.
Those estimated figures were way off. Juniper Research in their report, Mobile & Online Gambling: Casinos, Lotteries, Betting & VR, concluded that online gambling revenue has increased to over $700 billion. That’s an increase of over $120 billion over the previous year.
It’s clear from these figures that online gambling is a staple of the internet and by extension our daily lives. So why not see what all the fuss is about? Check out some of the most popular online gambling games that everyone is obsessing over right now.
CARD GAMES: TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER, BLACKJACK, AND BACCARAT
Online gambling includes a number of games from casino table games to sports betting. The most popular gambling game online, however, involve cards.
The popularity of poker has increased dramatically during the past few years. In fact, online poker has single-handedly increased the number of poker players worldwide. Within four years, it is estimated that online poker revenues increased by $58.7 million dollars between 2001 and 2005.
Most notably Texas Hold’em has been the most popular version of poker played online. Although Hold’em can be more time-consuming than standard poker games, the game tends to be more exciting and risky than standard poker fair.
Another popular card game, Blackjack carries just as much weight as Hold’em in online gambling tables. It doesn’t matter which casino you visit online, in nearly every one, there is a Blackjack table. Blackjack has become the most popular live dealer casino games of all time, and that’s saying something when you consider roulette.
Baccarat in the real world may seem intimidating to beginners and novices, however, the internet has changed the way people place bets and gamble.
Baccarat is a game that seems more difficult than it is, and its explosive popularity recently proves that. Unlike in real life, Baccarat can be played with both high and low stakes, so the game is accessible to everyone.
TRADITIONAL CASINO TABLE GAMES
While card games are very popular in the online gambling world, traditional casino games are just as popular. Roulette continues to be one of the most popular casino table games.
Although there is two version of roulette, American, and European, the rules of the game are very similar. Roulette’s popularity is rooted in the games purely chance results.
Roulette also commands nearly 25 percent of casino table game action across the market, making roulette one of the most popular online gambling games ever.
In addition to roulette, craps is a pretty popular table game, though with a 6 percent command of table game action, not as popular as roulette. Although craps can become a complicated game, experts agree it’s the game that offers the best odds in a casino.
SLOTS AND SPORTS BETTING
Slots, oh baby, these games are the most popular form of gambling both in the real world and online. You can find slots at every online casino game. Online slot games offer players much more than brick and mortar casinos. For instance, online casino slots games provide incentives such as welcome bonuses and additional free spins.
Sports betting, however, is like the mustang of all online betting. It’s wild, it’s unpredictable, and it’s deliciously alluring. In 2017 nearly $5 billion in bets were placed on sports, the UNLV Center for Gaming Research says that’s an increase of 440 percent from the previous 30 years.
With a massive amount of revenue rivaling the GDP of some countries, it’s understandable why sports betting has gained so much popularity.
The world of online casino gambling continues to expand and won’t slow down for some time, why not join in the fun and find the right casino (see 918kiss) to satisfy that gambling itch.