The Differences between a Landbased Casino and an Online Casino

Landbased casinos have shaped the future for the online gambling industry. Since the dawn of time, players flocked to a landbased casino to experience the thrill of a slot machine, face off the dealer in a game of blackjack or spin things around with a game of roulette. Fast forward a couple of years, the iGaming industry started providing players with more chances to gamble online. Nowadays, there are hundreds and thousands of casino games on multiple online casino USA platforms. Thus, the question is, was this detrimental to the authenticity of a landbased casino? This review will outline some differences between the two types of casinos. Read on to find out more.

Land-Based Casinos throughout American History

Landbased casinos in the United States have quite a colorful history. Americans have tried their hand at gambling long before it was ever established.

1500s

Gambling was first introduced in the States with the arrival of the British American colonies in the late 1500s. It was considered to be a great bonding activity where players could place bets at local casinos or gambling houses. More so, some of these settlers actually used the money from lotteries to raise funds for universities and schools.

1820s

Gradually, the industry started flourishing. New Orleans became the hub of gambling, until all land-based casinos were opened on riverboats along the Mississippi River. At the time, some people didn’t like the idea of gambling, so they thought that this would lessen the opportunities. Nevertheless, they couldn’t have been more wrong. By the 1820s, landbased casinos were set up on riverboats. At the time, players enjoyed classic card games and they also tried their hand at placing bets on boat races.

1850s

Moving on to the 1850s, the Wild West also started to offer plenty of gambling opportunities. After the settlers discovered gold in California – the California Gold Rush, many people flocked to the West, as they also wanted to try their luck. Eventually, San Francisco also became a hub of activity, as it sought to become one of the largest, if not the largest, gambling hotpot. Later on, other towns such as Deadwood, Denver, Dodge City and Kansas City started establishing one landbased casino after another.

1900s

Nevada changed the game completely. During the early 1900s, it started to entice a number of gaming providers. We saw the establishment of a solid landbased casino like Golden Gate Casino in Las Vegas. At the time, people considered both the hotel and casino to be extremely prestigious, considering it is located on Freemont Street. Additionally, it also became the first state to legalize gambling in 1931.

1970s

By the late 1970s, New Jersey was next in line to legalize gambling. Atlantic City officially legalized landbased brick and mortar casinos, and also became the second largest gambling hub after Las Vegas.

Present Day

Nowadays, all states have their own gambling laws. With America’s long history of gambling laws, you have to understand that one state might have less lenient rules than another, in the same way that they might be stricter in other states. That said, players can enjoy a plethora of games including state lotteries, card games, bingo, sports betting, casino games and more.

Bearing this in mind, there’s no denying that a landbased casino has boomed into something larger than life. They paved the way for the success that online casinos can enjoy nowadays. To mention a few figures, online casinos generate up to a staggering $7 billion in annual revenue. Whilst the money is indeed great, online casinos certainly owe their success to the landbased casinos.

Top casinos to visit in America

The United States has its fair share of brick-and-mortar casinos across most states. Popular names include:

• The Wynn (Las Vegas)
• Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (Biloxi, Mississippi)
• Caesars Palace (Las Vegas)
• Eldorado Resort Casino (Reno, Nevada)
• The Borgata (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Hollywood, Florida)

Are online casinos better than landbased casinos?

So, do online casinos still offer that sheer excitement and entertainment you can find at a landbased casino? It’s a tough one, due to the fact that both landbased and online casinos offer a worldly experience to all those who either visit a brick-and-mortar casino or sign up to an online casino platform.

On the one hand, a landbased casino gives you an authentic gaming experience like no other. You can chat, wine and dine at tables and also interact with fellow players and the dealer in the gambling area. Things are tactile – nothing beats the feeling of pulling down the levers of slot machines, the sound the roulette ball makes as it’s dropped on the wheel, or the flipping of cards in an intense game of poker or blackjack between high rolling players.

On the other hand, the fact is that online casinos offer more options, in terms of accessibility and prizes. For starters, you can enjoy all games from the comfort of your home and also benefit from bonuses and promotions along the way. The below sections will delve into greater detail about the differences between an online and a landbased casino.

Do online casinos offer a better gaming experience?

So, the question is - Does a landbased casino still attract players as an online casino does nowadays? A simple answer, is yes. Nevertheless, you also have to consider that not everyone can afford a fancy holiday to the States, let alone a visit to a landbased casino.

That said, it’s much easier for Americans to plan a night out to some of the leading landbased casinos America has to offer. In terms of convenience, an online casino tops a landbased casino. Let’s take a closer look at some of the main differences between the two.

• Convenience - Whereas you need to put your best foot forward when visiting a landbased casino, an online casino offers a more relaxed environment. You don’t need to move a muscle and you don’t need to put on your best gown or tux.
• Technology – Online casinos have taken on the world by storm by optimizing games for desktop, mobile and tablet use. Some prefer the desktop experiences, while others enjoy it right in the palm of your hand. For obvious reasons, you need to actually visit a landbased casino to be able to play top table games like poker and roulette, spin the reels of slots or any other fan favorites.
• Free Play or Real Money – This is a deal breaker. Especially if you’re new to the casino scene, it might be slightly intimidating to visit a landbased casino for the first time. You might need to put some practice in, before actually playing for real money. Online casinos changed the game with demo games. In this way, you can test the waters and then commit to play for real money.
• Bonuses and Promotions – Once again, this key point might not be in favor of a landbased casino. Whilst you can still enjoy big wins at various casinos across the states, online casinos offer something extra. If you sign up, you instantly get a welcome bonus. On top of that, you can also benefit from weekly deals and daily promotions. Additionally, the concept of free spins is very popular online, along with other elements such as progressive jackpots.

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