Gambling industry revenue in Great Britain has been consistently high in the past decade. The gambling activity market size for 2023 exceeds 14bn pounds, but this includes both casinos and sports betting. In other words, the number only shows there is a high interest in this form of entertainment. It doesn’t show which facets of the gambling industry are performing better than the others. Here we will take a look at some numbers regarding gambling expenses in Brighton, and see how online casinos have affected land-based casinos in this region.
Online Gambling in the UK
Gamblers in the UK are lucky to have access to regulated and vetted casino sites and sportsbooks. They can safely enjoy their hobby and their commission can hold operators accountable in the event of malpractice. There are also lots of casino welcome offers to choose from and effectively multiply the deposits. These options are really important as they can help regular gamblers save hundreds of dollars. On average, people casino players in the UK spend around 70 pounds per week, whereas in London this number is nearly £100.
This is significantly higher compared to the average weekly spending on gambling. Many gamblers in the UK simply play the lottery, so their weekly expenses don’t exceed £3.00 on average. Since 44% of the UK’s population gambles, it’s clear that this form of entertainment is an essential part of the local economy,
Does Online Gambling in Brighton affect Land-Based Casinos?
The answer is yes, but not as much as you think. There are several gambling institutions in Brighton, and these are not exclusively focused on hosting casino entertainment. Many prefer to play casino games online, because of the convenience and top casino bonuses that make it cheaper. However, there are still some perks that are only available in land-based casinos. For one, it’s a way for people to have a more social gaming experience.
As stated, these establishments are a great destination for a night out, or even for hosting big events. If they were exclusively focused on providing games, then the negative impact of online casinos would be more severe. The expenses for running a land-based casino are significantly higher, especially if you try to compete in the slots department. Each game is more expensive and requires a lot of physical space.
The only businesses that suffer are smaller gambling joints. They aren’t really appealing to a younger audience, they have limited gaming options and high overheads. They can’t really compete with bonuses so it’s very risky to enter this business in a geography where people can gamble online.
That being said, the owner can easily migrate to the digital sphere, get a license, and a contract with a software provider. If anything online casinos opened up an alternative for those who wish to host gambling entertainment.
Poker Tournaments
Many casino goers love to play poker. This is a significantly different experience when played online, compared to playing it in person. Additionally, one of the most well-known land-based establishments here is Rendezvous Brighton Casino and they hold poker tournaments regularly. After all, many regard this as a competitive game of skill, and playing face-to-face against your opponents is one of the main appeals. If you are online you can easily rage quit and ruin the experience for other players. Competitors are less likely to behave in such a manner when they are at the actual table.
Still, there are some big poker tournaments where people from all over the world come to compete. The qualification rounds would be extremely difficult to host, without relying on online play. In other words, even if many prefer to play it in person, there are a few undeniable advantages that online casinos offer.
Does Online Gambling Hurt the Local Economy?
The answer again is yes, but it’s not that bad. Clearly, if a business is based in a remote location and doesn’t have an office in Brighton then there are 0 benefits for the local economy. Moreover, there aren’t any employment opportunities either. However, in order for any operator to offer its content in the UK, they need to comply with the local gambling commission.
Offshore sites need to have the domain in the UK, and they need to pay taxes, 15% of the total revenue. In other words, these businesses don’t get any benefits from the government, and they are treated just like any other entity that operates from within the UK. Players get to support their local economy because the government is taxing companies that aren’t even based in their backyard.
Conclusion
Brighton does have several casinos, but it was never a place where people come to gamble. In other words, these local casino businesses are not the main pillars of their economy. Moreover, even land-based casinos don’t generate their income exclusively through gambling. This means they are relatively unharmed by the rise of online gambling. In fact, many of those who try casino games online decide to play them in land-based establishments afterwards. So, to an extent, these businesses are also helping local casinos.
