In the past year and a half, online poker has become popular due to the fact it often was the safest – and sometimes an only – available option. But now that land-based casinos have re-opened, an important question arose: is online poker still a relevant thing?
The answer is: definitely yes. Every year, thousands of new poker players place their bets online. The rise in revenue is proof of that, as in France, online poker brought in more than €230m yearly in the past decade. And in 2020, thanks to COVID, those numbers rose to €446m.
But even before the pandemic has hit us, people questioned whether online poker is able to replace live games or not. And even though nothing can replace the experience of visiting a prestigious casino, playing poker has perks you can't ignore.
To understand what the poker community thinks of the relevance of playing poker online, let's take a closer look at some surveys that might clear things up!
Online Poker Surveys: The Bottom Line
Every once in a while, gambling authorities all over the world try to understand how the poker market is changing. To do that, they create surveys that poker players have to answer.
In one of the most extensive surveys ever published, 2,000 UK players answered some burning questions, and the results were intriguing. Apparently, 92% of the respondents said they like to visit local poker rooms whenever possible. However, that doesn't stop them from playing online as well!
75% of UK poker players between the ages 55 and 64 said they play online, while younger players are even more inclined to do so: 86% of players in the 18-24 age group play online.
And apparently, 84% of the players over 55 play poker on their computers, while younger players use tablets (20% of players between the age of 35 and 44) and smartphones (23% of players under the age of 34).
A similar survey asked players in India about their gambling habits. It turns out that 37.5% of the participants started playing poker online, while 30.4% got familiar with the game while playing offline with friends and family. Only 1.8% started their journey at land-based casinos.
Those players prefer to participate in multiple-table tournaments and PLO games, while No-Limit Hold'em and other types of poker are far less popular.
Why People Play Online Poker
Even before COVID changed the way we place our bets, many players preferred online poker to other gambling options because of the following reasons:
- It's highly accessible, as you don't need to change your routine to place bets.
- You can practice playing without risking much of your cash.
- Using your smartphone or laptop, you can place bets even while on the go.
- You can play with live poker sealers and have an authentic experience without leaving your house.
- Playing at multiple tables is suddenly an option.
- You can easily choose the type of game you play, the stakes, etc.
And while nothing can replace a visit to a high-end Vegas casino, playing online can be just as fun and exciting!
Go With the Flow and Play Poker Online!
Recent poker surveys proved beyond any doubt that online poker is highly popular, as players of all ages choose this gambling option over visiting land-based casinos. If you are also a fan of online gambling, join the thousands of players who play the game virtually and enjoy!