More than one-quarter of the world population gambles. 26%, in fact! That means over 1.6 billion people turn to online or land-based casinos (or other gambling venues) to place bets, have fun with friends, and potentially win big money.
It’s a huge industry, and it’s thousands of years old. It adapts with technology and cultural trends, and there’s no doubt that in the next century we’ll be enjoying completely new forms of gambling. How do we know?
Well, the popularity of online casinos for a start! The global online gambling market valuation is expected to grow to 94 billion US dollars by the year 2024. People are accessing games on their mobile phones and tablets, or playing at home on the computer, instead of attending land-based casinos. Not only is it a more convenient option, but it also offers a range of extra features and benefits that lead people to ponder the question, what game categories are most popular on online casinos?
Sure, some of the games are pretty much the same as what you’d expect from the casinos…but some aren’t! Let’s take a look at the most popular game categories that people play online.
Video Slots
Video slots are effectively a slot machine on your screen. This is a videogame based on the classic mechanical slots game, and it’s easily the most popular game on online casinos all over the world. Millions of people enjoy online slots as part of a responsible enthusiasm for gambling and online gaming.
People play video slots for lots of different reasons. Some people play games to relax and don’t want to leave their home to enjoy it. Others simply live too far away from their nearest casino and wouldn’t be able to play otherwise.
And then there are the people that enjoy video slots because of their amazing features, bonuses, and themes! While land-based casinos always offer a big selection of themed slots to choose from, online casinos always win. Find any major online casino platform and you’ll find more themes than most land-based casinos, as well as a constantly updating selection to choose between.
Not only that, but software developers are always including additional features and minigames that make video slots way more fun than classic slots. One minute you’re playing away like normal, and next you’re engaging on a mini-quest with characters from movies, tv shows, and books. It’s no wonder this is the most popular category of game on online casinos
Blackjack
What more is there to say? Blackjack is a really old game. Nobody really knows how old, but people believe it at least dates back to the 1700s where it was played in French casinos. It’s still one of the main attractions for land-based casinos today, too!
Perhaps one of the reasons why people love this game so much is that the user can use their skill to influence the result of the game. In this way, when played online, it is more like a video game. Chance is the primary driver in winning money, of course, but people practice blackjack for years and eventually become masters.
Naturally, land-based casino attendees turn to online casinos to enjoy games of blackjack at any time. Users play against computers or even play with friends from all over the world. Isn’t that a great reason to play?
Video Poker
According to the World Poker Tour, there are more than 60 million online poker players in the United States. Yes, 60 million!
Globally, that number jumps to an incredible 100 million.
Video poker is popular for pretty much the same reason as blackjack. This is much more than a regular game of chance – it is a game of skill. Many people become so talented at the game that they play professionally, earning their living from winning (and losing!) games.
Playing video poker gives people the chance to practice their skills online, making small bets as they learn and gradually working up to making bigger bets and winning more money. Not only that, but people can play video poker games with real-life friends! Find a platform that you and your friends enjoy, and you can compete with one another from the comfort of your respective homes.
Live Casino Games
We can’t forget live casino games. This is very much an emerging game category, but one that already functions extremely well. Many online casino gamers still stick with their classic games just for the convenience they offer, and also for a sense of familiarity.
However, live casino games are becoming increasingly popular. These are real games with real dealers, hosted in land-based casinos. Users interact with the games using controls on their screen, watching the game unfold in front of them via live stream.
It’s hot already, but watch it get even more popular. You may even start playing them yourself soon!
