The various desires of players to stake their money on games of chance have existed for centuries. It’s no surprise that over time a worldwide industry has developed to cater for these demands.
The gaming industry has recently had a huge boost thanks to the arrival of the internet and digital technology. Leading online casinos are now able to provide all the thrills and fun of a physical casino, anytime, any place.
The advances in digital design and internet technology have made it possible to create a huge variety of better games. The incredible revolution in portable internet access means players can now dip in and out of their favourite games wherever they are and whatever they are doing.
This means that the gaming industry now exists in two forms: in real physical old-school venues with flashing lights and bar service, like Las Vegas and Macao – and in the 24/7 world of cyber space.
Combined, these two forms of playing means the global reach of the gaming industry has never been greater.
Across the planet there have been strict regulations to comply with but online casinos have become a thriving growth industry within these restrictions. Note that various governments around the world have started to realise that tax revenue from online gaming can be a significant boost to their economy too.
From Ireland to Japan, there are now thriving online casinos with millions of happy customers. Estimates place the number of regular online gamers in the world at around 1.6 billion – and that number is growing fast.
But which are the areas of the world that have embraced the boom in online gaming most deeply?
UK
The United Kingdom has some of the strictly policed gaming laws in the world. This has not prevented a very successful industry growing in recent years.
In fact the tight controls have helped create a robust, reliable and financially secure online gaming industry in the UK. This is turn has made the country the home of some of the world’s leading online casino operations.
The industry is attracting more and more customers and making bigger profits – which in turn are adding to government revenues.
Ireland
The huge rise in eSports and online casino games in recent years followed a change in the Republic’s laws.
Everything from live stakes on major sports events to online sites full of variations of slots have taken off on the Emerald Isle. The number of players has risen rapidly as laws and controls have relaxed. The number of online casinos operating in Ireland has also grown.
Ireland has also seen the rise in players that have their own channels and have built their own online following. The country is also one of the leading homes of internet game design.
Leading game design studios are often based in Ireland and home-grown Irish games are becoming popular worldwide.
The United States of America
It’s no surprise that the sophisticated gaming industry in Nevada would be at the forefront of the online revolution. The de-regulated environment of the state that contains Las Vegas has allowed the growth of some of the world’s leading online casino operations.
Numbers are rising quickly but many US states still restrict or ban online gaming. As they liberalise their laws the reach of American online casinos are expected to grow even more quickly.
Macau
This Far Eastern city state is part of China and considered the most densely populated place in the world. Gaming is a huge part of the culture here.
The industry is such an integral part of Macau that around 80% on the government’s income derives from gaming taxes and around a quarter of the jobs in the state are in the casino industry.
Macau-based online casinos, lotteries and sports betting are believed to be hugely profitable industries. Official numbers of players both online and in person are not always available however.
France
The generally de-regulated gaming environment in France means casinos and lotteries are widespread.
Pioneering online operators have found that the popularity of land-based games has been replicated on the internet. More than 17 million French gamers are estimated to play regularly.
Italy
With stakes totalling more than $100 billion, profits of more than $18 billion are made from the various forms of the gaming industry every year in Italy.
The Italians are known to have a love of gaming throughout history, with records of players stretching back to the Roman times. This may be why the Italian gaming laws are considered somewhat lenient compared with many other countries.
This has also helped the online industry grow quickly within Italy.
Spain
Recent legislation has established a robust framework for the gaming industry. Online operations are now clearly regulated.
Popular lotteries and casino games are now booming in the country with a huge proportion of the population joining in regularly.
Canada
Industry experts estimate that up to 75% of all Canadians engage with online casino games on a regular or semi-regular basis. The online casino industry has grown rapidly under the guidance and control of the country’s gaming commission.
Operators are now perceived to be very reputable and trustworthy, further encouraging customers to play on their sites.
Germany
Germany is another European nation that has benefited from recent relaxing of online gaming restrictions. Previously gaming restrictions were very conservative.
The country’s enthusiastic gaming audience now includes fans of poker, slots and sports betting – all of which are now thriving in the more liberal legal atmosphere.
