For centuries, casino play has been a much-loved avenue of entertainment for the British public. But over the past couple of years, the sounds of yelps for joy at a winning hand at the roulette table and the triumphant jingles of a successful slots combination have been slowly dying down. Other casino classics such as blackjack and poker remain popular amongst the British casino crowd, but more casinos around the UK are beginning to close down due to the rise of online casino.

The digital format of casino play has been on a steady rise over the years and is beginning to establish itself as a force, not just in the casino industry, but the entertainment industry. As opposed to making an outing to the local casino or gaming hall, users are starting to visit virtual casinos like many found on the daily star. Quite simply, the convenience factor is winning many players over, with the ability to log on and play high-quality casinos games from the comfort of your own home proving too difficult to resist for casino enthusiasts.

What next for brick-and-mortar casinos?

The outlook for physical, land-based casinos does not show the same promise that online casinos is projecting, but it is not all doom and gloom. Across the UK, there are still over 150 casinos located around the country. It would be dangerous to compare this figure to the vast numbers of online casinos available on the internet due to the capabilities afforded by tech nowadays, but the fact remains that land-based establishments still exist. And they are still profitable. According to figures published by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), non-remote casinos witnessed an increase in Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) in 2023, which wildly superseded expectations. The 17.2% increase to £810.40 million is evidence that there is still life in the land-based casino sector.

But for how much longer?

While the figures posted by the UKGC are impressive considering the influence online casino is beginning to have on the casino industry, the global figures for revenue paint a rosier picture for online casino play. The online gambling market is expected to grow to around $100 billion in 2024, which many within the industry see as just the beginning. Online casino has enjoyed a rapid rise due to technological advancements and much improved software that allow game developers to produce exciting visuals and animations to accompany the sharp online gameplay. Unfortunately, the land-based side cannot compete with the possibilities afforded to online platforms. However, there is still value to physically holding chips, or pushing a button to spin the slot reels. Land-based casinos will hope this aspect remains valued by their customers.