The Advantages of Online Casino Play and the Downsides

If you haven’t spent much time gambling online, you may be wondering what the advantages of online casino play are over land-based gambling. The truth is that there are many perks of this activity. However, there are some elements that it is lacking, hence why we’ve created this guide to the pros and cons of online casinos.

To kick off this guide, we’ve explained why it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of online casino play before you join a new gambling site. We’ve then compared the gambling experiences of both land-based and online casinos, as there are some similarities and many differences between these activities.

Once you have learned about the best casino sites, you’ll discover some tips on how to choose the top online casino for your needs. Don’t forget to check out our list of the top online gambling platforms in the US.

• Advantages and Disadvantages Explained
• Online VS Land Based Casino Games
• How to Choose an Online Casino
• Safety and Security
• Responsible Gambling

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Casino Play Explained

Before we get too far into this guide, we want to say that the advantages of online casino play far outweigh the downsides. There are now five states across the USA that provide legal and licensed online casino options. If you are gambling with approved operators, you can expect a high-quality and safe experience.

If you’re not based in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, or Connecticut, you won’t be able to try out legal casinos. However, you can sign up if you visit these states. Our guide only refers to these legal and verified gambling sites, and we strongly advise against joining offshore operators.

Online VS Land-Based Casino Games

If you are reading this, we can assume that you have at least some experience with land-based gambling. That said, if you are completely new to casino gaming, you’ll still greatly benefit from the information here. In this section, we’ve covered the pros and cons of online casinos and land-based casinos.

Online Casino Pros

There are many benefits to online casino gambling that land-based gaming just doesn’t offer. For instance, online gaming is much more convenient. All of the best licensed operators have created native mobile apps in addition to desktop platforms so you can comfortably play anywhere within state lines.

Many sites stock hundreds of unique slots with modern special features, and you’ll never have to sacrifice a title you want to play because someone else is using it. You can quickly navigate between other slots as well as virtual and live table games. You may even be able to enjoy online poker and sports betting from the same platform too.

If you’re a table games fan, you’ll find a number of options that have low buy-ins, with some roulette and blackjack games starting with minimum bets from as low as $1. Even the best roulette sites in Michigan can impress you with convenient gambling options. This can be much lower than what is required at land-based casinos. The registration stage is also extremely quick and convenient.

Another great feature is that casinos will offer new player bonuses and promotions to users. These can award you free spins and bonus funds. There are also rewards programs at the best casinos that can give you generous perks for your loyalty. The advantages of online casino play are nothing to overlook.

Online Casino Cons

In the question of online vs land-based casino benefits, there are some elements that are lacking from the online experience to mention. When it comes to transactions, withdrawals can take up to a week with some payment methods. This is in stark contrast to land-based gaming, which provides instant payouts.

Online casino play also lacks the social aspect and excitement of a land-based casino visit, though to be fair, it provides its own unique experience. You’ll also be missing out on food and beverage and entertainment services that are provided at land-based casinos. These disadvantages of online casino play are worth considering.

Land-Based Casino Pros

If you’ve never had a land-based casino experience, we implore you to give it a shot. These places are havens for gamblers, with a vast array of slots, table games, poker, and sports betting options to enjoy. There are games to suit low-budget players, and many provide facilities to cater to high-rollers as well.

Some casinos have resort amenities too so you can stay in an attached hotel. There are plenty of features that make stays more exciting, including dining and nightlife, shows, retail options, and even day spas. Many modern casinos now even cater to families by providing non-gambling facilities that children can enjoy.

The social aspect of a casino visit is something that you won’t find online, whether you go with friends or you go to make new acquaintances. Most sites will have loyalty programs that award you with special perks the more that you spend, whether it be free hotel stays or dinners. Of course, many also provide free or cheap drinks.

Land-Based Casino Cons

Just as there are disadvantages of online casino gaming, there too are downsides to land-based casinos. Firstly, many land-based casinos are based in smaller towns or areas that aren’t close to major cities. This means that you’ll need to organize travel and accommodation just to gamble.

You also won’t receive welcome bonuses when you visit, and some casinos charge fees just for visiting. There can also be strict dress codes that may be inconvenient to some. It’s common for table game hands to start from as low as $5, though this is often higher. Spending can therefore rack up quickly.

And while many land-based casinos are open 24/7, smaller casinos will usually close in the early hours. This is different from online casinos, which are always open 24/7. Overall, when online vs land-based casino benefits are compared, the biggest differentiator is the accessibility and convenience that land-based gaming lacks.

How to Choose an Online Casino?

Now that you understand the pros and cons of online casino gameplay, you may be ready to sign up. Before you do, it’s helpful to understand that each site is different in terms of its game offerings, payout rate, payment options, customer support service, and welcome bonuses.

We have created reviews for top online casinos in each legal gambling state that are well worth reading. In each, we’ve considered all of the above factors before assigning an overall rating. If you like what you find, then we’ve provided registration links within the reviews so you can get signed up with ease.

Safety and Security

Now is a good time to point out that the advantages of online casino play we have discussed throughout this page only apply to sites that have been licensed. In each legal online casino state, there is a government-run regulator that is in charge of ensuring that operators meet strict safety and security requirements.

For example, online casinos must implement SSL encryption technology to prevent hackers from stealing players’ data and financial information. They must also verify that all customers meet the minimum gambling age before joining. Games must be independently audited for fairness and guaranteed to not be rigged.

Gambling sites must also prove that they have the means to payout all owed winnings. If you choose to gamble with an unlicensed gambling site, there is no way to know that all of these requirements have been met. You could be forced to play rigged games and will have no legal avenues if the site refuses to pay out your winnings.

Responsible Gambling

One of the realities about online casinos is that you will have greater access to gambling than you would if you had to go to a land-based site. For some players, this may mean there is more temptation to gamble outside of their means. This is why online casinos provide responsible gambling tools.

To maintain safe gambling habits, be sure to set a budget before each gambling session, stick to it, and never chase losses. If you are struggling with compulsive gambling, utilize the gambling limitation and exclusion tools provided by online casinos, and use helpful problem gambling resources.