Online Casino Gaining Popularity But Legalization Challenges Remain

According to recent statistics and expert opinions presented at the SBC Summit North America, internet casino gambling is gaining popularity but still faces challenges in terms of legalization. While 38 US states and Washington DC offer legal sports betting, primarily conducted online via mobile devices, only seven states currently permit online casino games: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Nevada offers online poker but not casino games. The slow expansion of online casino gaming has caused concern among some that it could potentially cannibalize physical casinos, although industry insiders argue that it is the future of gambling due to its convenience and accessibility, particularly among millennials who prefer to manage their lives via their smartphones. Some in the industry feel that the two forms of gambling actually complement one another. However, there are challenges that must be addressed before more states adopt online casino gaming, including concerns over addiction and the potential impact on physical casinos. Experts suggest that education campaigns aimed at lawmakers highlighting the benefits and protections offered by legal online gaming sites could help overcome these obstacles. Some casino executives have expressed concerns that online gambling may be harming the revenues of brick-and-mortar casinos, while others maintain that online gaming can be additive to physical casinos and create jobs in related industries such as marketing and media. The debate over the impact of online gambling on physical casinos will continue during the conference.