Gambling at casinos is a major pastime in America. Online casino games came out of gaming sites in the mid-1990s.
Baccarat remains one of the oldest casino games. More popular games include roulette, blackjack, video poker, and slots.
Most online casino gamblers may choose offshore sites like Las Atlantis, BetUS, or Bovada. With minimum deposits as low as $10 at reputable sites, gamblers from any income bracket can access poker, online slots, table games, and more.
Here’s a closer look at the accessibility and demographics of online casino games in the U.S.
The Link Between Income and Online Casino Games
A 2008 study from The University of San Francisco claimed that more research on a potential link between popular land-based casino games and their online counterparts was necessary.
For example, if a gambler preferred roulette at a brick-and-mortar casino—that could translate to them wanting to play the game at real money casinos online.
A 2015 study at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) aggregated data from 339 online real money gamblers. They looked at the links between demographics, gambling preferences, and the frequency of gamblers at social and real money casinos online.
Real money online gamblers “tend to be younger, male, wealthier, and better educated…” the report claimed. They were also more likely to be students who weren’t married.
Slots and video poker were popular among women aged 46-55. In contrast, poker players were mainly males between 26-35.
Almost 75% of respondents were males with an average income of $60,000 and $70,000. Their study’s most significant income bracket earned $125,000 or more (18.1%), while the lowest frequency earned between $90,001 and $99,999 (5.2%).
Nine percent of participants earned less than $20,000 annually.
While these figures may be helpful, they don’t account for the rise in online gambling legalization in the U.S.
Many newcomers might consider a $10 deposit casino to get started. Since competition remains stiff among top gambling companies, offering hefty welcome bonuses on first-time deposits helps to attract new customers.
Demographics of Online Casino Game Players in the United States
Since legalization began in 2018, the demographics of online gambling have shifted. During the second quarter of 2020, 10% of online casino gamblers were under 24. About 19% were aged between 35 and 44, while 21% were between 45 and 54.
Thus, a 2020 survey reported that the largest age groups of casino gaming app players were under 64.
Gamblers aged 35-54 represented 40% of those surveyed. Those 55 and above represented 39%, while 35 and younger represented only 24%.
In line with the previous study, gamblers who might have had access to land-based casino games before the online boom could be more inclined to play on a mobile app.
Per 800-Gambler.org, female gamblers prefer low-risk games with fixed betting options, like slots, roulette, and bingo. Males enjoy riskier betting scenarios and competitive games that require strategies, like table games and poker.
Who Is More Likely to Play Online Casino Games in the United States?
According to a marketing agency based in Milan, an online casino’s target audience depends on different games. Players who prefer traditional experiences might choose classic fruit slots, while those craving innovation may select something more modern.
Fans of land-based casinos might want to play card and table games.
Those with low income in middle age may seek to improve their financial conditions by playing at online casinos. The same age bracket with higher income may choose online casinos out of curiosity.
Younger players, regardless of income, consider online casinos a form of amusement or entertainment.
The Impact of Online Casino Games on Low-Income Individuals
A 2020 National Institutes of Health (NIH) report studied the gender differences in “problem gamblers” online. Both men and women saw the most problem gamblers in the income bracket of $25,000 – $30,000.
While those numbers represented all forms of online gambling, the largest share of problem gamblers came from those playing online casinos in the previous 30 days (85% female, 79% male).
The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling reported: “… that very low-income households have an almost 100% higher rate of gambling than the general population.”
While that may translate to lotteries and land-based casinos, states across the U.S. use tax money generated from legal gambling operators on education and treatment for problem gambling online.
To Conclude
Online gambling is a form of entertainment. It may also be a way of generating a second income. However, most professional gamblers might earn only a little more than they lose.
The rise in the availability of online casinos stems from the legalization of U.S. sports betting. It remains a contentious issue, as it does worldwide.
New technologies help to improve the user experience at online casinos. Live dealers also bring to life the excitement of a casino right to a player’s smartphone or living room.
Each game brings its unique type of player as the industry continues to evolve.
