The coronavirus impact has got people on mandatory quarantine with nothing but their TV, computer, and smartphone as company. There is a travel ban in many areas, and people are only permitted to go out on a limited basis. Trips to the workplace and other entertainment venues have been altered, and people are forced to be cooped up at home, or they might contract the deadly COVID-19 virus.
Because of these unusual circumstances, there are some industry winners, and that includes online gambling. Money, as they say really, doesn’t disappear but just gets appropriated somewhere else. In these times of pandemic quarantine, people still seek entertainment and they are doing it online.
The Surge in Online Gambling
According to industry reports, the business of online gambling is growing and shows no sign of slowing down. As of 2018, the entire online gambling industry was valued at $449.3 billion. This is a big leap from the numbers in 2014. It is said that growth is about 4.1% from that year.
These numbers were taken in March 2020 during the start of the pandemic and quarantine measures globally. Since people are spending more time indoors, the online gambling industry is growing. According to an Australian newspaper on the 9th of April, online betting increased by almost 67% during that week. This is a big jump compared to average weekly spending.
Studies of website traffic have corroborated the evidence that online gambling is indeed on the rise as traffic to gambling sites have increased all over the world by as much as 9% beginning in March when the pandemic broke out. Gambling sites are thriving amid the coronavirus epidemic, and they are reaping positive economic impact.
The Shutdown of Non-Essential Services
Non-essential services have been shut down in the past week, including face to face gambling casinos across nations. Because of this, people seeking entertainment and a way to pass the time during quarantine have turned to online casinos spiking its user base up to 67%. Online gambling is one of the biggest winners in the shutdown.
Evolution Gaming is one of the leading live dealer suppliers, and it claims that there has been a strong demand for its products since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.
Players who have previously opted for land-based entertainment are now going online for their entertainment needs, thus increasing the traffic in casino sites.
Because of this, more and more new online casino operators are thinking of adding more diversity to their collection of live casino games.
Sports Bettors
Another industry that has been badly hit by the pandemic is sport. Many important sports events have been cancelled to avoid crowds and the spread of the virus. Because of this, sports bettors have shifted their attention to online casino games.
Final Thoughts
Despite the pandemic, people still seek thrills and entertainment. Being cooped up at home can be boring, and people seek stimulation and fun that only online casino games can provide. The pandemic has proven that some industries are bound to benefit from the lockdown and see an upsurge in consumers.
