Betting Up North: The Region's Betting Habits Explained

The East Riding of Yorkshire might not be at the very centre of the world of gambling – we’re certainly not Monte Carlo or Las Vegas (or, nowadays, the emerging gambling epicentre of the world, Macau).

However, there has certainly been a renewed focus on gambling in the north of England since the recent introduction in West Yorkshire of the new super casino in Leeds in the new Victoria Gate complex.

#LIVE music in Curve every Friday & Saturday from 9pm! pic.twitter.com/IN57INwX6Q

— Victoria Gate Casino (@VGCasino) 14 September 2017

Of course, Beverley is a few miles away from Leeds, but this development highlights how the county of Yorkshire is choosing to embrace the fact that gambling is now an immersive, exciting experience, and, most importantly, a fun way to socialise. Leeds casinos aside, perhaps the primary reason for this increase in interest in the north can be traced back to how people are changing the way they gamble.

Online vs Offline: The Battle of New and Continued Habits

Anyone involved in the world of gambling faces a tough choice in 2017 when asked: do you prefer a land based casino experience or a live online casino immersion? This can be partly reflected by the fact that, back in 2016, the UK gambling commission highlighted how the online gambling industry was the largest gambling sector in the UK, showing that whilst Hull and Leeds may offer casinos (and indeed super casinos), the online experience has had to stay ahead of the curve to pull in customers away from the world of the land-based casino, like Napoleons Casino in Hull.

This is a competition that works to push both land and online casinos to the maximum. With online casino, the world of live streaming, live casinos and the introduction of technology related to virtual and augmented reality has converted more and more people to the world of online gambling, especially with online gaming now able to compete with the social side of offline gaming.

This social side to iGaming means that those who want the ‘casino experience’ and who want to interact with dealers or fellow players can still do so online, using their webcams and a fast internet connection to interact from the comfort of their own home at a time that suits them.

The Appeal of the Quick Game

Perhaps the most interesting way that the world of gambling has changed comes down to developments revolving around the smartphone and the role it plays in our lives. In a world where you can go online and log onto a mobile casino on your phone, or download apps to play your favourite slot games, you no longer need to rush off to Las Vegas to win at the casinos; you can do the same thing relaxing on your phone without the expense of a hotel or flights!

“PersonalCasino-Blackjack (5)” by Karen (CC BY 2.0)

Indeed, while the world of gambling continues to grow, with bingo now getting more monthly players than some sports like tennis, the fact is that the world of the internet and the smartphone in particular has changed the nature of the audience, as well as the ease and the way in which people can gamble.

Of course Yorkshire punters are still going to enjoy heading to the races (after all, we are blessed with so many high-quality race courses here) or having a night out at the casino, but the fact is that the chance to do this online will make it a far easier experience for those who don’t want to leave home or who don’t have a whole evening free. All in all, the world of online gambling is going to continue to hold an appeal and will no doubt carry on changing people in the north’s gambling habits.