Everything is done online these days, whether it be shopping, attending a work meeting or enjoying some leisure time, and all sectors of the modern world have had to adapt. 

One of the most successful industries when it comes to moving online is the casino sector. Once confined to real world venues, casinos have long since moved to the internet and now there are hundreds of online casino sites offering every kind of casino gaming experience. 

While the nature of the casino world has changed dramatically during the last 20 years, casino players still enjoy some of the old-fashioned casino classics, even if these are now largely played in online form. Here are some of the most popular gaming genres to be found in the modern casino world. 

Slot games

The original mechanical gambling machines into which customers pushed coins and pulled a lever still exist at many real-world casinos, but in the online gambling sector, modern slot games are unrecognizable from the old-world machines that came before. 

The fact that you don’t need to venture into a real-world gambling venue has also made online casino games accessible to a wider audience. It is easier than ever to play casino games as an occasional hobby that fits your lifestyle and your available leisure time. 

It also helps that the modern slot game is a world away from the old mechanical devices. Modern slots are technologically sophisticated pieces of software, powered by random number generators (RNGs) and offering a variety of features along with high-quality graphics and immersive sound. 

There are thousands of online slot games available but some have risen above the competition to become classics. Video slots such as Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, and progressive jackpot games such as Mega Fortune are played all around the world. 

Roulette

Arguably the original casino game, roulette dates back to at least the 18th century and first became popular in France before later being introduced into the USA via New Orleans. From there, it spread around the world and has become synonymous with the casino experience. 

Even casino sites that don’t offer many old-fashioned ‘table games’ will usually have one or two varieties of roulette. Of course, the ingenuity of online casino game developers means that there are hundreds of roulette variants out there, but the original versions of the game – European and American – remain the most popular and are found at almost every online casino site. 

Blackjack

A staple of the Las Vegas casino, blackjack has enjoyed new popularity online, and along with roulette is commonly found at all good online casinos. 

The simple basics of the game, combined with the various stories and myths about players breaking the bank at casinos by utilizing blackjack strategy, have combined to make blackjack an irresistible gaming option for many players. In reality, of course, it is extremely difficult to beat a real-world casino at blackjack and impossible when playing online, with RNG technology determining the outcome of each deal. 

Yet blackjack in all of its myriad variations is a popular option at online casinos around the world, and the complexity and sophistication of the new rules and unusual features that game developers have added to the basic gameplay make it one of the most versatile and enduring casino games. 

Live casino

Technically not a separate type of casino game but certainly a different playing experience, the development of online live casino gaming has been a big success story for the industry. 

Online live casino games are broadcast through fast internet connections and are staged in real-world studios designed to look like casinos. The roulette wheels and blackjack tables are all real, and the games are overseen by trained croupiers, with whom players can interact. 

The success of this form of casino gaming has led to hundreds of live variants of classic and even obscure casino games, and every popular online casino has a dedicated live casino section offering an array of interactive games that combine online convenience with a real-world casino atmosphere. 

Summary

While the creation of the online casino has revolutionized the gambling industry, it does come with dangers. The convenience of online play means that it is much easier for those susceptible to gambling addiction to develop a problem, than would be the case at a real-world casino. 

For that reason, it is vital to remember that online casino gaming is a leisure activity and can never be a source of income. Never gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose and always play at fully regulated and licensed online casino sites. 

Published by HOLR Magazine.