The gambling scene has evolved significantly recently, providing audiences with a wider range of options, from traditional casino games to the latest sensation of eSports betting. Although both forms of gambling offer the possibility of reward and the thrill of chance, they differ greatly in structure, rules, and appeal. Here’s a look at some of their key differences.
Casino Games
First, let’s talk about casino games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and slots, which are the traditional options in this genre. These games have a long history at both physical casinos and online platforms. However, they’ve become vastly more popular as a result of the rise of iGaming platforms.
That’s because many of them have more benefits than traditional casinos, as we’ve seen with non-Gamstop casinos. According to gambling expert Liliana Costache, these specialised sites offer players the chance to enjoy their favourite games without restrictions along with attractive bonuses and flexible payment options.
They bypass the GamStop program, a self-exclusion program made mandatory by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) but often deemed too restrictive by many players. By using cryptocurrencies as a payment method, many of these platforms have been able to provide some great benefits that go beyond ordinary sites, like express payouts and anonymous play.
1. Luck-Based Outcomes
A major defining characteristic that casino games share is that success in them is largely determined by luck. That’s because most of these games are designed to offer casinos or their platforms an advantage, which is called a house edge, and tilts the odds slightly in the operator’s favour.
What this house edge means is that a player’s chances of winning consistently over time are statistically lower to ensure the casino stays profitable. Additionally, casino operators use random number generators (RNGs) in games like slots and crash games, to make it impossible for players to predict results.
Luck also plays a big part in determining success in the short term in casino games that require some skill, like poker and blackjack. What makes us say this is that players can’t know which cards will be dealt to them even though they may have different strategies to help them be successful in the long run.
2. Fixed Rules and Structure
Another aspect that makes casino games different is their consistency, as they follow well-defined rules that have remained largely unchanged over time. An example of this is how the rules of games like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat are nearly universal regardless of where they’re played.
This stability is what has drawn many players to them, as familiarising themselves with these rules and developing strategies is easier. The reason behind that is they don’t have to adapt to new game mechanics or regular updates as with eSport games.
3. Individual Entertainment vs. Social Engagement
An additional difference that sets casino games apart is that although some of them can be social, they are mostly designed to entertain players on an individual basis. That’s why, in most of them, players usually compete against the house instead of other players, particularly in games like slots, roulette, and blackjack.
Even in social games like poker, where players challenge each other, their interactions are limited in many cases. This is especially true in some online platforms that don’t offer in-game chat functions.
eSports Gambling
Unlike casino games, which have a long history in gambling, eSports are a relatively new phenomenon, which was fueled by a rise in competitive gaming. It entails individual gamers and teams battling it out in various events for a trophy or cash prize.
eSports gambling has offered fans a way to wager on the outcomes of these competitions by placing bets on their favourite players or teams in a wide range of video game genres. With that said, here’s what makes this form of gambling different from casino games.
1. Skill-Based Outcomes
The first big difference eSports betting has is it’s a mostly skill-based type of gambling. That’s because professional eSports gamers have to dedicate a lot of time to mastering the games they play, and their success is mainly determined by strategy, skill, and teamwork instead of luck.
This then makes betting on eSports similar to traditional sports betting, as bettors have to understand each player’s abilities, performance history, and strategies to make informed wagers. Doing this requires a lot of skill, which is why esports betting is often considered a more strategic form of gambling.
2. Constantly Evolving Gameplay
Another differentiating aspect is that esports games don’t have fixed rules in many cases, as they are frequently updated to introduce new features, balance gameplay, and offer new experiences for players and spectators. These updates often come in the form of patches, which can change characters’ abilities, game mechanics, or even the map layouts.
What this usually translates into is alterations in team or player strategies, which can impact performance. This then adds another layer of complexity to eSports gambling, as bettors need to stay updated on the latest game developments and adapt their strategies accordingly.
3. Community and Interactive Engagement
Unlike casino games, eSports gambling thrives on social interaction as it has a very engaged and interactive community. What has led to this is many eSports fans usually follow their favourite games closely, watch live-streamed tournaments, and participate in fan forums.
Being this involved in the eSports community is what has made bettors have an intimate understanding of the games in this space and their players, which helps them out a lot when placing wagers. Additionally, most eSports bettors are usually gamers themselves, which lets them bring firsthand knowledge to their betting processes.
