COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill when it broke out in 2020. The ripple effect of the disease sent shockwaves through almost every industry, including the gambling industry. With coronavirus spreading out, establishments are shut down and governments implement social distancing measures. It has taken months for the world to adjust to the pandemic, and we are still ways from coming to terms with the new lifestyle. Although coronavirus and online gaming are worlds apart, they collide in more ways than one. The virus’ spread has caused several shifts in online casinos, and below are some of them.
Online Migration
Online gambling was doing better than its brick-and-mortar counterpart long before COVID-19 landed on our laps. However, the platform has seen more players than ever since the beginning of the life-taking virus. With the contagion affecting people through interaction, a lot of location-based casinos had to close their doors. This sharp decline in land-based gambling led to an increase in the online alternative. Since most people had to remain locked up in their homes, they turned to the internet to satisfy their gambling needs. Online casinos are hardly overwhelmed with the increase in clients since they offer thousands of slots on a virtual platform. Even gamblers who prefer the ambience of real-life gambling can launch live casinos where human dealers and real tables are used.
The traffic rise in online casinos makes them among the few businesses brisking through this pandemic with minimal financial damage. Nonetheless, the land-based sector has taken a heavy hit, which has repercussions on the industry.
Limited Sports Betting
Although most of the services in online gambling clubs have been positively affected by the pandemic, sports betting has not. Sports bets are placed online, but their results are affected by players’ actions in real-life events such as football, tennis, rugby, and basketball matches. As coronavirus spread across the globe, most organizations saw it fit to cancel events to curb the rate of infections. The NBA was among the first professional sports leagues to suspend their season as Robert Gobert of the Utah Jazz was tested positive for the virus. The season remained suspended indefinitely since March 2020 with more than 250 games remaining in the 2019/20 season.
The COVID-19 shockwaves also affected the Summer Olympics, which is the most-watched sporting broadcast in the world. The event was pushed back and is expected to resume in 2021 with the precaution measures in place. With such events on hold, the trajectory of sports betting dipped after being on a steady increase in the 2010s. Punters could no longer place stakes on the results of games, which led to losses in the billions for the iGaming sector. Also, casino operators lost sponsorship and advertisement partnerships that boost their brands, such as players wearing their logo on their jerseys during gameplay.
eSports, on the other hand, have benefited positively from the online migration. These games are simulated online, just like slots and table games, and they include dog racing, football, horse racing, first-person shooters, and card games. With a significant reduction in sports betting options, many gamblers turn to eSports to soothe their gambling urges, which has driven the niche’s popularity and revenue.
Rise of Gambling Addiction
In most cases, addiction is associated with substance abuse, like alcohol and drugs. However, human habits can lead to addiction as well and gambling is one of them. Pathological gamblers have a compulsive need to gamble and do not have control over the behaviour. With most countries applying lockdowns that keep people home, the struggle becomes amplified. Many people are also stressed due to being laid off from work, the risk of catching the virus or being apart from loved ones. With coronavirus making life more challenging than usual, people are looking for ways to soothe themselves, and some of them end up gambling. The use of gambling as an escape leads to pathological attachment. Many treatment centres that focus on problem gambling are opening new centres due to their demand. If you are facing this issue, you can combat it by;
- Accepting that gambling is a problem
- Getting ready to change by committing to the recovery motions every day
- Identifying and avoiding triggers
- Planning your days beforehand
- Joining a rehabilitation program
Increase in Video Streaming
Video streaming has seen an uptick in usage since the pandemic began. The data centre level reports that the use of such services has more than doubled over the past year. With people stuck at home due to self-quarantine or mandatory lockdown, such platforms have become the new norm to connect with the world. Video streaming services that focus on gaming content like Twitch have seen significant spikes in usage. Some of these applications have increased in popularity by more than 700% in regions where distancing rules are strictly in place. By the end of 2020, the video streaming industry had ballooned to more than $50 billion, more than double its value in 2019.
Increased Game Production
Among the pandemic’s significant effects is a mass online migration, which has led to increased consumption of online games. Countries with thriving gambling markets, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, have seen a rise in internet use by more than 20%. Online gaming software developers meet this uptick with the release of more games than ever.
More Casino Options
Coronavirus restrictions have also led to a spike in online casinos. More gambling dens are being opened to feature the games produced by software developers while the existing ones continue to expand their portfolios. These gaming clubs offer a new take on modern gambling and give punters new options to choose from. Nonetheless, selection criteria like valid licenses, proper security, and reasonable bonuses should always apply when selecting the ideal one.
Final Comments
The global COVID-19 pandemic impacts the iGaming sector significantly. Some of the shifts being caused will have lasting effects that carve out new paths for the industry. Others are temporary sources or reliance and consumption as we wait for things to get back to normal.