Are new casinos really being built?
The first land-based casinos date back to the early 18th century, but it wasn't until the 19th century that they were built as we know them today. That is, beautiful and large complexes where people go to play different forms of one-armed bandits and board games. Only 100 years later, in 2001, the first international casino opened in Sweden.
A lot has happened since then. With the advent of the Internet, the rapid development of smartphones and innovative payment methods, gambling is moving more and more online. So what happened during this transition? Are new casinos actually being built, or are the days of land-based gambling halls over?
Changed the definition of the game
In the past, you had to dress up and travel long distances to visit the casino. Nowadays, you can instead play online casino in the autumn darkness at home and cozy up with a blanket and hot chocolate. Gambling has been associated with the upper class for hundreds of years and this activity mostly took place among the wealthy. A vibrant event that features incredibly smart people pitted against each other at gaming tables around the world.
Today, the definition of gaming is somewhat different, as it is an activity available to almost everyone. With online casinos, people no longer need to think about what they wear or travel to more exclusive areas of cities. They can stay at home or play wherever they are with their portable devices.
The term "online casino" is more accessible to the general public
Most people today have access to the Internet, and most also have a desktop or laptop computer and/or smartphone. With these two devices, they can access a wide range of casinos and games, which means that they are available to almost everyone. But if it's for some important holidays like a wedding, celebrating your honeymoon at the 7 best casinos in the Bahamas is a great idea, find out how to do it on this website.
Casinos also no longer accept only professional players. There are almost always guides on various websites where you can find out what games are offered, and some casinos also offer so-called demos to players that teach them the rules and strategies.
In Sweden, physical operations are not particularly successful
Sweden has had a total of four land-based casinos since the early 2000s, operated by the state-owned Casino Cosmopol. However, the situation for the land-based business has worsened over the years, which is believed to be due, among other things, to the growth of its online counterpart. You can read more interesting facts about land-based casinos in this article.
The casino in Sundsvall closed during the pandemic, and other state-owned businesses have also sadly seen their revenues dwindle. Thus, the current forecast does not indicate that more land-based casinos will open in the near future.
Industry thrives overseas
However, Sweden is not the only country that has legalized gambling for money. In other countries and regions, such as the United States, Monaco and Macau, both online and land-based gambling are flourishing. In the United States alone, eight new casinos and slot machines were opened this year, with entertainment such as slots and traditional table games, as well as sports games.
In the US, casinos tend to be independent areas that function as their own entertainment ecosystem. Instead of solely focusing on offering a few one-armed bandits and poker tables, they are made up of various spaces where patrons can play, enjoy shows, enjoy delicious food, and even shop.
So, even though online casinos as such have made gaming more flexible and convenient, it can be argued that many people still like to have fun in land-based casinos. Some consider land-based casinos to be the center of all kinds of entertainment, whether it's a game of roulette or a new taste experience.
Are new casinos being built or not?
Thus, we found that the gambling industry is currently in a state of constant growth, with more and more countries legalizing gambling, and the industry is only moving forward. However, in Sweden, the terrestrial industry does not look as bright as the network industry. New online casinos are released all the time, while land-based ones are still only three.
However, the situation is completely different abroad. Both in the US and in Asia, there is a growing interest in both land-based and online casinos and sports companies, with both of them benefiting as a result. There is a tendency among the population to look for land-based casinos because they include all sorts of other experiences besides casino games, such as top-rated restaurants, beautiful hotels, and even shopping opportunities.
