Many people find gambling and sports betting relaxing at the end of a tough day. Others make a living from it, being high-rollers and placing significant bets. Regardless of their motivation, people living in some American states have more choices than they did since online gambling and sports betting were legalized.
Since the Supreme Court overturned legislation that stood in the way of legal sports betting and legitimizing online casino operations, both have become more accessible in recent years. Which of the two is more popular?
What the numbers say
When looking at revenues alone, online sports betting generates more money than a real money online casino. Many states have legalized online sportsbooks, with several operators launching a US sports betting app to leverage large numbers of gamblers due to the convenience it offers, as bets are placed on a smartphone. However, any users still prefer to use a desktop computer to gamble or place sports bets and can do so online via their browser.
Only a handful of states have legalized online casinos, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia. Several other states, including New York and Louisiana, have plans in the pipeline to follow suit. Nevertheless, sports betting generates more revenue annually owing to the small number of states with legal online casinos vs. those with online sportsbooks. Experts predict that both industries will keep growing exponentially and are the future of gambling in America.
A look at offline revenue
To get a fairer picture of the revenue difference between casinos and sportsbooks, look at the revenues generated both online and in land-based operations. Here, revenues from casinos outstrip those from sportsbooks by a country mile. Available statistics indicate that sports betting generates a few billion dollars’ worth of revenue, while casinos exceed the $40 billion mark.
These numbers suggest that casino gambling is far more popular than sports betting. The online version is playing catch-up as more states start legalizing it. Covid-19 proved the necessity for online casinos as many people remained confined to their homes for prolonged periods. Some resorted to investing in silver bars to invest their money, while others could still gamble via online casinos.
The better odds
Gamblers flock to sports betting as they believe it is more of a sure thing than playing casino games. After all, sufficient analysis and research can boost your luck when you place a sports bet. Conversely, most casino games come down to winning by chance as there is no way to place a strategic bet. Two casino games that provide some room for strategy and tactics are poker and blackjack.
The popularity of online casinos and sportsbooks comes down to user preference. Some people get a rush out of placing sports bets, while others get their adrenaline rush from playing casino games, such as slots and traditional table games. Most would argue that gambling and betting are past times, and as with any hobby, they choose something that they find enjoyable.
