This year and the previous one were not like the others. By early 2020, individuals all over the world were constrained to fight with modern typical lockdowns, financial emergencies, and unfortunately, with travel bans as well. Families and couples were isolated because of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, millions of individuals lost their jobs and had to face issues with picking up a living.

Similarly, this year was also unsatisfactory for the gambling industry, particularly for land-based casinos.

Land-Based Casinos Had a Hard Time All Over the World

Since the beginning of the pandemic, casinos were significantly affected by the various measures taken by the governments in order to fight the spread of the COVID-19. While some land-based casinos could have stayed open, others have closed amid the moment wave confinements. A few casino venues have re-opened completely since then or some of them operate with some restrictions. Ultimately, just like the course of the pandemic itself, the long-run accessibility of gambling activities is still considered obscure and unusual.

However, at the same time when the availability of gambling at brick-and-mortar casinos diminished, online casinos kept on working. Moreover, more and more new gambling sites started to operate all over the world.

A few media reports demonstrated that the entire online gambling industry had, in reality, prospered which served to advance this progressively prevalent gambling format. In general, online gambling sites involve a wide variety of gambling activities such as casino table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps, slots, online poker, lottery ticket deals, and finally, sports betting. With the exemption of sports wagering, which was influenced by the cessation or lessening of proficient sports around the world, all other sorts of online gambling have been ceaselessly accessible from both lawfully directed and unregulated casino operators. Gamblers can choose from numerous online gambling sites to try their luck in online casino games or sports betting. For example, the licensed casino websites in New Zealand are collected over here.

Asian Land-Based Casinos Experienced a Huge Loss Because of the Pandemic

In 2021, the measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic have considerably affected gambling activity in land-based venues all over the world. In Asia, various land-based gaming venues such as casinos and betting shops were constrained to shut.

Macau's Overall Gambling Revenues Nearly Wiped Out by the Impact of the Pandemic

Macau's revenues from gambling were hit hard by the pandemic. In February 2020, Macau temporarily closed all its casinos for two weeks as the infection burst out of central China. As a result of anti-COVID measures, in April 2020, Macau’s income from this activity was basically wiped out as casinos endured their most awful month on record. Figures from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau’s review showed a net gaming income of $95 million in that month. This is by any means an enormous drop compared to the average monthly revenue of $3 billion before the outbreak of the pandemic.

However, Macau’s gambling market shows signs of slow recovery. In April 2021, Macau’s casinos experienced a significantly higher revenue of $1.05 billion. It’s still 64% less than the income recorded in April 2019 before the pandemic but it’s already a promising number.

Changing Circumstances in the Philippines Regarding Gambling Activities

When it comes to the Philippines, gambling activities were suspended following President Rodrigo Duterte's orders in 2020. The reason behind the President’s decision was a surge in new COVID-19 cases. Although casinos in metropolitan Manila were closed and permitted to reopen multiple times since the beginning of 2020, some of the most reputable casinos in Manila, such as the City of Dreams, Solaire, and Resorts World has revived prior to this month due to the government's exclusive staycation program.

Unfortunately, as part of the newest government measures - secondary to a huge rise in the prevalence of coronavirus in the Philippines -, from 6 August 2021 Manila casinos are closed again temporarily for the third time in the last 17 months. PAGCOR (the Philippines Gambling Authority) fully supports the national government's COVID-19 Immunization Program. To date, close to 10,000 employees or 81% of its total manpower have been vaccinated and the agency pleads the citizens to do the same so that the tourists and gambling revenues can increase again.

Experts are Pessimistic About the Rest of This Year

Over the past year, where casinos could stay open, social distancing rules were applied, the casino staff frequently disinfected the gaming machines between uses, and the share of gaming materials and other types of equipment were also limited. Although all these measures serve a good purpose of slowing down the spread of the coronavirus, wearing masks and being isolated by plexiglass dividers put a damper on the level of entertainment.

Certainly, the staff at land-based casino venues has been strategizing ways to keep playing fun whereas upholding security measures. But as can be seen from the numbers, gambling at casino resorts has suffered a significant decline.

The expectations for the rest of 2021 remain pessimistic. Even though many countries and gambling hubs show signs of recovery, the future of the gambling industry is uncertain. Casinos can be closed again at any moment, just like in the case of the venues in Manila in the Philippines. When it comes to 2022, expectations are more positive. Hopefully, as more people get vaccinated everything can go back to normal and the crowd will return to gambling at land-based casinos.

Online Casinos Are the Absolute Winners of the Pandemic

Online Casinos Are the Absolute Winners of the Pandemic
Online Casinos Are the Absolute Winners of the Pandemic Pixabay

After all, it seems that online casinos are the absolute winners of the pandemic. As people seek other alternatives to play casino games, more and more new gambling sites appear on the Asian, New Zealand, and Australian markets. Also, more traditional, land-based casinos start to offer online services in order to replace the revenue they have lost as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions

It’s not surprising that there is an increasing demand for online gambling services. People always loved to gamble and if they currently can’t enjoy their favorite activities offline, they need to look for other options. Regarding Australia, the demand is extremely high. The country has the highest number of gamblers when it comes to adult players (80%). According to statistics, in Australia, an adult spends an average of more than $1,200 on playing at online gambling sites yearly.

Seeing the change in the online gambling revenues year by year, it’s clear that the industry arrived at a boom. The global online gambling market was worth more than $50 billion in 2019, over $66 billion in 2020, and it’s expected to grow further in the upcoming years. The online gambling market value is now forecasted to reach $100 billion by 2026.

Ultimately, the industry just keeps growing, and there are no visible signs of it stopping any time soon.

Summary

Although this pandemic had a tremendous impact on gambling and casinos all over the world, hopefully, gambling life will go back to normal, and people can visit their favorite casinos without restrictions. While the rest of 2021 may still be hard for the casino venues in Asia, revenues are expected to return to the previously experienced levels in the upcoming years.