Online Casino vs Real Casino—The Biggest Differences

As casino games are becoming more and more popular in Canada, there are now two ways to partake in them. You have traditional land-based casinos with their classic charm, and you have online casinos accessible from your computer or smartphone.

But what are the most significant differences between an online casino vs real casino? If you have access to both options but aren’t sure which one would fit you better, here are some key aspects that may help you decide.

The Atmosphere

Land-based casinos provide a vibrant and exciting ambiance characterized by the sounds of shuffling chips, whirling roulette wheels, and applauding crowds. Players are transported into a world of possibilities, luxury, and elegance enriched by the beautiful design and ambient lighting. The social component is enhanced by the presence of experienced dealers and other gamblers, who create a lively atmosphere where players may mingle while gaming.

Despite the exciting environment, many players want a chance to win the jackpot at any time, no matter where they are. Thanks to optimization for desktop and mobile devices, this is exactly what online casinos make possible. This means that you can create your casino atmosphere and play anytime and anywhere, whether it’s a break at work, sitting on public transport, or relaxing in the park. As long as the battery of your cell phone and the internet serve you well, you’re the one who decides when the gaming stops.

Location 

With online casinos, you can enjoy gambling from the comfort of your home or any other location of your choice. This eliminates the need to physically visit a casino, which may be a concern for individuals who value their privacy and prefer not to make their gambling activities public. 

Playing at online casinos can be a major advantage if you live in areas with limited access to land-based casinos or if you have any mobility issues. Having the option to play wherever you want also eliminates the need to dress up formally or adhere to a specified dress code, as many land-based casinos have that requirement.

Game Multitasking

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The number of tables you’re able to sit at simultaneously is a significant difference between online casinos versus physical ones.

In a physical casino, it can only be one at a time. In an online casino, you can open several different games in several tabs at the same time while exploring the best ways to win. This is a particularly suitable aspect for today’s modern, busy, and fast lifestyle.

While playing at an online casino, experience is gained more quickly, which can be a big plus. Still, this can also lead to making worse decisions, as you’re not focused on one game but have to keep track of more of them.

Online casinos are a lot more beginner-friendly, as they offer a chance to test the games in demo mode, which you can’t do in real casinos. This is a great opportunity for you to explore the game library and practice game strategies before investing real money.

Game Efficiency

One of the greatest advantages of playing online is that you can play at your own pace. As you’re competing digitally, you don’t have to wait for other players to bet or be paid out.

Since there are no actual casino props like cards or dice, you don’t waste time waiting for the table to clear. Cards are dealt more swiftly, and you know the roulette outcomes in a matter of seconds.

There’s also a negative side to this gaming pace. As you spend less time between the games, you can get the feeling that some results appear more frequently than they actually do. This isn’t true—the probability of getting a specific game outcome is the same in online casinos as in traditional ones.

For example, in a physical casino, there’s typically a two-minute gap between spins of the wheel, resulting in an average occurrence of a specific outcome every two hours. When playing online, it’s possible to have three spins per minute, totalling 180 spins in an hour. Consequently, the same outcome will now happen every 20 minutes.

Payout of Winnings

While most gambling activities run faster at online casinos vs traditional casinos, this isn’t the case when you want to cash out your winnings. Depending on the online casino you chose, these five payment conditions may differ:

1. Processing time
2. Deposit and withdrawal limits
3. Transfer fees
4. Payment methods
5. RTP

Your money can take several days to transfer to your account, as opposed to brick-and-mortar casinos, where you get your winnings as soon as you’re done gaming. Transaction limits and fees may also differ depending on your casino of choice.

While land-based casinos accept cash, debit or credit cards, and in some cases vouchers as payment options, online casinos offer a more extensive range of money transaction options. 

Some often used and accepted payment methods in online casinos include:

• Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro)
• Bank transfers
• Neteller
• Paysafecard
• Skrill
• MuchBetter
• eChecks
• Apple Pay

Online casinos offer increased chances of winnings with often higher return to player (RTP) rates than land-based casinos. RTP indicates the percentage of wagered money that a particular casino game is expected to pay back to you over time. 

Average RTPs for online casino games are as follows:

Privacy 

One of the main reasons why online casinos are better than real casinos is the privacy you’re offered. This includes the following: 

1. Limited social interactions—For those who prefer to gamble privately, online casinos provide an opportunity to avoid direct interactions with other players or casino staff
2. Control over personal information—Online casinos usually give players control over their data and allow them to set their privacy preferences

Keep in mind that due to strict international rules that apply to the online gaming industry, you cannot stay anonymous at online casinos. Anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering regulations require you to disclose your identity to the operators.

Responsible Gaming

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In both online and land-based settings, players need to be aware of the risks associated with gambling. 

Implementing responsible gambling practices is much simpler in online casinos, which often provide resources and information about responsible gambling, including:

• Various dedicated tools
• Access to helplines
• Cooperation with support organizations

You can set time and deposit limits, take advantage of self-exclusion options, and be in control of your gambling environment.

Land-based casinos also offer self-exclusion programs, allowing you to voluntarily exclude yourself from the casino premises for a specified period. Casino staff, such as dealers and floor managers, are trained to identify signs of problem gambling and may intervene if they notice potentially harmful behaviour.

Recommended Online Casinos

Gaming in online casinos may also require you to be familiar with all the rules and regulations a casino needs to follow. To make that easier for you, here are ten casinos that adhere to the relevant laws and are safe to play in:

These reputable venues have received several regulatory licenses, and they provide a large selection of casino games, payment methods, and alluring campaigns that can enhance your gaming experience.

Featured image source: Carl Raw