Is Video Gaming the Future for Bricks and Mortar Casinos

Is Video Gaming the Future for Casinos?
As a general rule, casinos have lost considerable sums of money over the last 18 months. While the region of Macau may have experienced slight gains during the second financial quarter, it recorded an annual loss for the time at the beginning of 2015 amid ongoing money-laundering investigations. This is not the only issue to impact on the region, however, with the popularity of online gaming also causing considerable cause for concern.

The Rise of Online Gaming and the Response of Brick and Mortar Casinos
The emergence and continued population of online gaming has provided a considerable challenge for bricks and mortar casino brands, with a number of innovative methods used to overcome this. Some of the larger brands have decided to diversify their operation online, for example, in order to compete and optimise their resources against independent casinos. Others have taken gradual steps to replicate the flexibility provided by online gaming, initially by accepting additional and virtual currency measures such as Bitcoin.

This has proved successful, and provided inspiration for others who are keen to combine the advantages of virtual and physical gaming. As a response to the fading popularity of traditional slot machines, some casino brands are integrating video game representations to appeal to new player demographics. Outlets such as Virgin slots are incredibly popular in the modern age, and the use of video slots helps traditional casinos to capture a new target audience while also diversifying the traditional gambling experience.

Will these measures prove Successful? The Future for Brick and Mortar Gambling
This strategy has polarised opinion among traditional gamblers. While some see it is as crucial to the survival of bricks and mortar casinos, others feel that it contradicts the spirit and heritage of traditional gambling. Many also feel that a better approach would be to accentuate the unique advantages of brick and mortar gambling, rather than simply trying to replicate popular elements of online casino gameplay.

This misses a rather important point, however, as the integration of modern technology and video gaming platforms can add diversity to the traditional gambling experience. It can therefore supplement the natural adventures of physical gameplay, just as corporeal interaction with others, a celebratory ambience that the unique thrill that defines bricks and mortar gameplay.

In this respect, the integration of technology appears to offer a way forward for offline gambling in an increasingly digital age.