Last year, we were compelled to stay inside due to the escalating pandemic crisis in order to comply with new health standards and social distancing measures. After spending so much time inside, scrolling through the same streaming catalogs, playing the same old video games, or listening to countless hours of podcasts and music playlists, most of us found ourselves looking for new entertainment alternatives to pass the time or even as a distraction from the world news.
As a result, online gambling, also known as iGaming, has become an appealing option for both casual and hardcore players all over the world, with the availability of online casinos and online sportsbooks at an all-time high, and the latter being one of the most popular online activities last year. The opportunity of playing casino classics like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, placing wagers on major sporting events around the globe, and even playing online instant win games lured online players worldwide, and the business grew significantly during this time period.
When online casinos, sportsbooks and other gambling websites first appeared in the mid-1990s, following the rise and popularization of the internet, there were few trustworthy options, and the business was frowned upon by many who feared being duped or defrauded on these platforms. However, the emergence of security standards and data encryption has enabled operators to create considerably safer platforms that are invulnerable to malicious attacks and data breaches. And what was once considered a nefarious enterprise has turned into a popular hobby and significant sector in the online entertainment industry.
With a never-ending selection of iGaming operators and websites, the offer of online gambling activities has never been higher, and we’re now able to choose the games and wagers that best suit our taste. Even though the options available today go by the thousands, the following alternatives have been the most popular iGaming activities in the past year.
Online slots
Slots are unarguably one of the most popular pastime activities in the whole world, but most importantly, they represent 70 percent of all casino games available on the internet. Therefore, it’s safe to say that online slots have been the most popular iGaming activity for quite some time.
Visually appealing and very straightforward, online slots are available at almost every online casino, with special features like progressive jackpots and free spins. The best websites offer a large variety of titles, including different themes and jackpots, from some of the most reliable software providers in the iGaming industry.
Online slots are easily played by anyone, and they require no particular set of skills – which partially explains their popularity – but, even though it can be a bit hard to win sometimes, the thrill of playing slot games and hitting a jackpot can be really enticing to many players.
Sports betting
Sports betting is without a doubt one of the most popular entertainment alternatives in the world right now, and with the closure of land-based gambling facilities last year, online sportsbooks became the last resort for sports fans all around, with operators reporting significant increases in both active users and wagers, as the US market is expected to reach more than $9 billion by 2025.
Currently, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of online sportsbooks and most of those are available to US players. Most operators offer some of the most popular betting markets in the world, including the NFL, the NBA, the English Premier League, and even the Olympics.
Players can also choose from a variety of wagers, including singles, parlay bets, and even in-play betting, which allows punters to place wagers while matches are in progress, with odds changing after each play or possession.
Live dealer games
Currently one of the hottest trends in the iGaming world, live dealer games have taken the world by storm in recent years, becoming a popular alternative for both casual players and high rollers, and being offered by almost every reputable online casino.
Thanks to the emergence of live streaming technologies in the early 2010s, players are now able to witness the whole gaming process, and enjoy an authentic casino feeling as if they were playing in one of the many luxurious casinos of the Las Vegas Strip.
Unlike conventional online casino games, which rely only on random number generators, live dealer games are managed and operated by professional croupiers in real-time, and streamed to players from studios and land-based facilities. It’s even possible to interact with the dealer and the other players on the table, which adds a social component to live casino games.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to news@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment