If you’re an ardent land-based casino fan, then you’ll have noticed some pretty significant changes over the last 20 years. However, if you are somebody who also dabbles in a session or two of online casino gaming, you’ll appreciate just how transformative this way of gambling has become.
Live casino platforms in Ireland have had a pretty decent run of it over the last decade. The number of people seeking out online gambling sites has risen considerably, and given that it is the most convenient and time-efficient way to play casino games, it’s no surprise that bettors in Ireland have followed a trend we’ve seen globally, resulting in more people than ever seeking out digital casinos.
Harnessing the social experience
Land-based casinos might have lost some ground since the emergence of their digital counterparts, but those brands that were able to spot these changes on the horizon have barely felt the impact.
Some of the biggest names in land-based casino gaming started to move their tables online in the early 2010s – and although they had to perform more of a balancing act, given they often have overheads that online casinos don’t have to contend with, it proved to be a great move. They were able to bring the land-based experience to an international audience.
Now, live dealer casino games aim to incorporate a range of factors commonly associated with land-based games. Many include chat rooms or interactions with the dealer as well as other players, similar to an experience you’d expect at a conventional casino.
Obviously, while it might mimic this, there are differences, and for those who go to land-based casinos for the social element and to chat with people, there’s no substitute.
Weighing up the pros and cons
Online casinos’ main selling points are convenience, cost-effectiveness and the range of games they offer. Some of the highest-rated casinos have thousands of games to choose from, and dozens of live tables, which trumps even the biggest casinos in Ireland.
Now, for many of you, we know that it’s more about quality than quantity. However, range is also essential, especially in specific areas such as the slot gaming world. Convenience is another important aspect.
If you’ve been living in the capital, finding an affordable place to live can be a struggle, and while you should never gamble with money you can afford to lose, one of the main selling points of live casino platforms is that you can do it from the comfort of your home.
You don’t need to spend money on taxi or bus fare or fill the car up; you can just log in and play, and you can often flick between sites and take advantage of the latest signup offers. However, if you are someone who views the casino as a social event and prefers the buzz and atmosphere of a land-based casino, then this is impossible for live casino platforms to replicate.
Social experiences that strike a chord
Land-based casinos may struggle to compare with live platforms, but one area in which they have a clear advantage is their overall social experience and entertainment package. It depends on the casino you go to, but the experience can include a cabaret night, a bingo or lottery-style competition, a live band or a stand-up comedian.
While casinos in Ireland might not have the same A-list names that have been up in the bright lights of Vegas over the last few decades, if you’re a social butterfly who reacts to the atmosphere of a live performance or entertainment, then land-based casinos are going to be more up your street.
In many ways, this reflects wider social trends across Dublin, with events like the Mingle Supper Club showing how curated gatherings can foster community and capture that same sense of atmosphere and shared experience.
However, as the metaverse and digital entertainment start to play a more influential role in the broader global economy, it’s a code that live casino platforms in Ireland and internationally are itching to crack. If they’re able to offer digital experiences that rival those of land-based casinos, then this is the last frontier for them to truly conquer land-based casinos on every level.
Final thoughts
While it is admittedly disingenuous to pitch these two sectors against each other, given the significant crossover that now exists, if land-based casinos are to continue flourishing over the next couple of decades, they need to retain their USP as the prominent social experience that people seek out.
Although live casino platforms do not operate under the same level of restrictions and regulations as land-based casinos, it’s the same in Ireland as it is in any other major economy that has a healthy gambling industry. As long as they’re able to keep their regulars on board, then there’s no reason why both shouldn’t be able to flourish, regardless of the types of social experiences they have on offer.
