At the moment, there are around 152 casinos here in the UK.
While this seems reasonably good, these kinds of establishments are actually dropping at least a few tables a year. In comparison, online casinos are doing the opposite.
There are 3,783 table games online, compared to 1,904 in land-based casinos. Online casinos are serious business.
Players now spend as much as £5.6 billion per year gambling online. £2 billion of this happens to be on online slots.
An Overview of the Five Most Popular Online Casino Games
1. Poker
Every day, thousands of people play poker at brick-and-mortar casinos or online. It is such a popular game as it is easy to play.
After being dealt two cards each to each player, the dealer then deals their own hand. Players combine their two cards with the five cards of the dealer to make good poker hands. In between this, other rounds of betting also occur.
Stud poker is another popular type of poker in the UK, with many different variants available, like 3 and 5 card poker.
In stud poker, players are dealt a combination of face up and face down cards, most being the latter. This allows other players to sense how strong the hand is.
Once each player has examined the face-down cards, the betting then begins.
The first bet is usually placed by the player who has the best face-up cards. However, in other variations of the game, players play blind.
Video poker is another popular type of poker, enabling players to play at their own pace at a stake that suits them. While it has similarities to a table game, it’s played virtually.
Some games include features and bonus rounds as well. Virtual poker also gives players the ability to switch between different types of poker also.
2. Roulette
Referring to the term ‘little wheel’, roulette is a game that originated in France. It is believed to have been played by French army officers and mercenaries to solve disputes using this chance game.
It remains pretty much the same and can be seen in use in many different leisure settings, particularly high-end casinos, and hotels. It’s popular because it’s so simple to play and its great fun.
Players simply guess in which of the 36 pockets the ball is going to land. Players can maximize their odds in different ways.
For example, betting on 50/50 outcomes like red or black, higher, or lower than a specific number, or even on a particular number. Players can risk as much of their money as they wish.
While both American and European versions exist, the former is more popular here in the UK. In fact, there are 846 American roulette tables in casinos in total.
3. Slots
While being a young game compared to the likes of baccarat, slots are incredibly popular.
Otherwise known as fruit machines in England and puggies in Scotland, they are easy to understand and fast-paced games. Players have a chance to achieve large winnings from a low investment.
It is due to this popularity why they are granted a lot of space in casinos. As players find the experience of playing them so enjoyable and fun, they usually do not mind losing out on a few pounds.
Now, there are thousands of different varieties to choose from with every theme you could possibly imagine. Players simply have to match symbols on reels to unlock bonus features or win jackpots, making gameplay easy, even if you’ve never played before.
4. Baccarat
As one of the oldest types of casino games, baccarat was popularised in the fictional
James Bond series of books and films. He would enjoy games in most of Monte Carlo’s casinos.
But despite its high-class image, a license to kill, nor a tuxedo, are needed to enjoy this game. Involving a unique combination of strategy, luck and skill, each player takes it in turn to be a dealer.
There are many different combinations of the game. In the UK, Punto Banco is perhaps one of the most popular.
5. Blackjack
This is another reasonably old casino game which has experienced little change since becoming available.
What makes it particularly popular is that players play against the dealer rather than each other. This is perhaps why there are around 545 blackjack tables across UK casinos.
There is some disagreement over where the game originated. Some say it began in Spain or France, while others claim it became standardized by casinos in Nevada.
What’s more likely is that its name derived from the mobster ‘Black Jack’ in the early 20th century.
The game concludes when one player achieved 21 in total using a combination of their pictured or numbered cards, in an attempt to beat the dealer. Players can earn substantial winnings, while others just like the fact they are playing against the dealer or house rather than other players.
Are Online Casinos Taking Over Land Based Establishments?
We are not sure if they’re taking over.
What we do know is that land-based casinos are experiencing a steady decline. In contrast, online casinos continue to grow in popularity.
So much so they generate around £5.6 billion per year. The five most popular games at online casinos are poker, roulette, slot games, baccarat, and blackjack.