Casinos have long been places not simply where players can have the opportunity to play games for money.
Another important aspect has always been that they are spaces where people can meet in an atmosphere of some opulence too.
Consider all the James Bond movies where scenes in casinos have represented somewhere the superspy has been able to meet with contacts and even come directly up against his fiercest foes.
Obviously, in the real world, we’re never going to be involved in games of poker or roulette alongside a Blofeld or other master villain with world domination on their to-do list. But casinos are good places to meet up with friends for an enjoyable night out – and hopefully one that will turn out to be profitable too.
But, like many other industries, the digital age has brought about many changes in the casino sector – most notably involving the rise of online casino real money play.
Taking it online
It seems hard to believe now that the online casino is more than 30 years old. Equally incredible is how much it has evolved since the early days of the industry. Back then the range of games available was, to say the least, very basic.
In terms of execution, they also shared a great deal in common with the early video games including basic graphics, glitch-filled play, and a soundtrack that had a distinct home-made feel to it.
However, both online casinos and video games have been driven through their histories by innovation, as well as the desire to give players a more realistic and immersive experience.
Building a community
Similarly, both sectors have long recognized the importance of using a community of players to strengthen their position in a world in which there may be many other distractions. So multiplayer games have seen a huge explosion in both availability and popularity.
For online casino real money games there are now plenty of options for anyone wanting to actively compete with others. These range from poker games in which a number of players gather around a virtual table to slot tournaments that feature leaderboards showing which individuals have done best over a given period of time.
The onward drive of technology
It’s a recognized fact that tech is advancing at its fastest pace ever and this has played perfectly into the hands of online casino operators.
Their ultimate aim has always been to recreate as exactly as possible the experience of play in a traditional brick-and-mortar casino. By capturing the ambience, excitement, and at least a little of the glamor the aim is to build up a group of ever-more loyal players.
To help them on their way, the online casino has always also offered access to play that would otherwise be denied to many people. Perhaps they live nowhere near a casino, have mobility issues, or simply want to enjoy the experience from home.
There is also the changing nature of our attitudes towards operating in an online rather than a physical world. One only has to look at the inexorable rise of the virtual meeting in the business world to see this in action in a different sphere. We’re simply becoming more and more comfortable with communicating via a screen instead of having to turn up in person.
So how does this work in the context of online casino real money play? In three distinct ways.
Live games, real-time chat and multiplayer action
A major breakthrough for the industry came when the technology arrived to stream live casino games to players’ PCs or mobile devices. This meant that they could enjoy games like roulette, baccarat and blackjack with play being directed by live dealers operating in a studio decorated to look like an authentic casino.
Add to this the ability to chat live online with the dealer, who is also quick to respond, and the level of realism is taken up still further.
The final piece in the jigsaw has been the emergence of multiplayer games. The result has been the closest that online casinos have ever been to replicating the real-world experience.
Giving real choice
This also means that players have more choices than ever before. For example, live casino gaming usually has multiple versions of a game like roulette or baccarat with the stake level or speed of play being the differentiating factor. In terms of games like poker, it’s also to find one at precisely a player’s level of skill or experience.
The next leap forward is likely to be the increased use of virtual reality with players using avatars to meet up in computer-generated casinos as well as to take them around the world.
So these are exciting times for anyone who enjoys some time at the gaming tables – and they’re set to become even more of an immersive experience all around.
