Gaming has always been a popular way for people to relax and have fun. This is very true in the modern age, where playing games is something billions of people all over the world like to do. Of course, the modern gaming sector looks a lot different today than what it did even 10 years ago!

One of the major reasons for this is the availability of internet changing gaming. This now sees everything from online gaming to cloud-based streaming platforms being part of the industry. It’s not just gaming which the internet has changed radically though as the gambling sector has also seen massive cultural changes driven by the internet.

But what changes might this be?

Shift to online casino play

One of the most obvious impacts of the internet on gambling culture is a move towards online gambling. This is a marked difference from how people liked to play at land-based casinos in the past. Since the first online casinos were developed, these digital gaming sites have become a very popular way to game. iGaming is now a multibillion-dollar per year niche in gambling and is arguably more popular than land-based play in modern times.

So why has the internet changed gambling culture by influencing how people like to play? Convenience is a major factor and people just love being able to try classics like slots without leaving the house. Being able to play from home in a relaxed environment is another reason for the rise of online casinos.

More emphasis on bonuses

Although bonuses have always been part of gambling culture, there seems to be a lot more emphasis on them in the digital age. This has been powered by the internet transforming player attitudes towards promotions and raising awareness of them.

No deposit bonuses at sweepstake casinos are a case in point and show how the best gaming sites online reward customers with innovative offers. WOW Vegas casino has a no deposit bonus which gives players 1,500,000 WOW Coins and 34.5 Sweepstakes Coins!

In simple terms, players all over the world are much more aware of bonuses now because they’re so easy to find online. As all quality online casinos carry a broad range of promos to claim, this has led to players being a lot more aware of the different types on offer as well.

This was not always true in the past, where a lack of deals at land-based sites and a lack of knowledge about them made bonuses much less prominent in gambling culture.

Mobile tech and mobile gaming

Although the internet has made gambling culture more digital in the modern age, its impact goes beyond that. Mobile gaming, which operates on lightning quick 5G internet networks, has also impacted the way we play casino games.

While lots of people still love to play at online casinos via desktop, playing wherever you are and whenever you get a chance by mobile is popular the world over. In countries like the US and South Africa for example, playing on mobile is the preferred choice for many.

This choice to take the casino with you wherever you go and play out of the house is a big shift in gambling culture. In the past, people would not have dreamt of being able to do this or thought it possible to play anywhere other than a physical casino.

It’s also true to say that internet-based mobile play has altered the culture within the casino industry itself. The popularity of mobile play means most online casinos are now fully optimised for mobile gamers and carry games which are mobile friendly.

Live games, gameshows and casual games

Any keen gamer knows that what you play is important and creates a sense of culture in the wider community. While this might be Apex Legends or Lego Legacy in modern video gaming, the move towards newer games in the gambling community has been driven by the internet.

In the pre-internet days, casino fans stuck to traditional favourites such as poker, blackjack and slots. While these are all still very popular, the rise of internet-based play has seen players get a taste for new things.

Live games are a staple of most online casinos now and bring that authentic land-based experience into your home or direct to your mobile. Being able to try live casino titles means people are less likely to head to a land-based casino to have the same experience. It also means that people are more likely to play these immersive games online, rather than the standard online games they might have in the past.

This sort of change is also true for other kinds of games which have taken off at internet-based casinos in the last few years. From gameshows like Crazy Time to crash games and online scratchcards, modern casino culture encompasses a much broader range of games.

Safety in modern gambling culture

One aspect of gambling culture the internet has changed is that there is now a much firmer emphasis on player safety. Although this has always been something the gambling industry focused on, it’s really ramped up its efforts in the digital age. This makes gambling an activity that has a lot more emphasis on player protection.

An easy example to look at is how tightly regulated online casinos are in legal iGaming markets. In the UK, online casinos need to hold the right licenses to operate, and this is true for places like the US and Europe too. By implementing this kind of regulation, internet-based gambling is a lot safer for people to get involved with.

Another good example of how the internet has changed the culture of safety in gambling is responsible gaming. All online casinos now carry a range of tools players can use to gamble more sensibly. This makes modern gambling culture a lot more focused on helping players gamble sensibly and stay out of trouble.

Internet’s impact on gambling culture

There’s little doubt that the internet has had a huge impact on gambling culture over time and changed how people engage with casinos. This is no surprise when we remember the massive changes the internet has brought to other sectors. It will be interesting to see where gambling culture heads next, with the internet leading the way.