12 July 2023 , 06:57
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Four in ten gamblers have never actually set foot in a casino, according to research.
Nearly a quarter (23%), of those who flutter online, worry about getting it wrong in person – and 22% fret about looking out of place.
Others worry about having to travel there, or not having anyone to go with (both 20%).
Of those who have been to a casino, 15% have only done this once or twice.
A spokesman for Online Betting Guide, which commissioned the research of 1,000 adults as part of its gambling report, said: “Habits are changing all the time.
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“Online gaming sites are becoming more and more popular, and in-person equivalents are evolving to meet the new needs. If they don’t, they run the risk of being left behind, as ever-more of the world moves to an online-first experience.”
Nearly a third feel they are just more confident betting online, from behind a screen (SWNS)The results also found 43% of gamblers feel an in-person casino has too many barriers to entry, and 32% feel more confidence behind the screen – with just 16% having more courage in the flesh.
But London (49%), Las Vegas (31%), and Paris (12%) are among the locations where gamblers would most like to gamble in person.
It also emerged 83% feel the internet has fundamentally changed the way people play.
A quarter currently gamble less than they did five years ago, with 42% typically playing between one to five times a week.
And six in ten wouldn’t be surprised if the future of gambling involved virtual casinos, such as an online simulation of a real-life casino, where they can play at home.
Playing the lottery draw (53%), betting on sport (52%), and scratch cards (41%), are the most common gambling activities.
But 40% of punters, polled via OnePoll, prefer games which require an element of skill, such as predicting sports scores or playing poker – while 16% like to leave it to pure chance, such as roulette.
OLBG’s spokesman added: “We gamble in all sorts of different ways every day – not taking out a coat when the weather ’s uncertain could even be seen as a form of gambling.
“This research really shows how much the world is changing to meet the growing demand for online content.
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“But lots of people who feel put off from visiting casinos in real life would probably find they don’t really have anything to worry about.”