Are Online Casinos Changing How Western New Yorkers Gamble?

This content was produced in partnership with Bazoom Group.

Online table games and slot machines are no longer flashy ads — now, they're a standard point of discussion in Buffalo bars and living rooms. Citizens talk about the trend of screens replacing chips, one gentle click at a time.

For generations, a day at a casino was a fun weekend destination for many across Erie and Niagara counties. Couples, group dates and seniors set off by bus for a few hours at the slots or the table games, a meal and maybe a live show. It transformed an evening of games into a social event, often a part of a birthday or anniversary celebration.

This beat is different. Instead of planning a date day, some people reach for their phones during commercials on TV or play a couple of games of blackjack on the way home from work. Busy lives, rising gasoline prices, and the desire for home comforts have attracted more locals to Internet options, most notably during those cold winter months when cabin fever is at its worst.

Convenience vs. Atmosphere

Online casinos eliminate the need for you to get all dressed up, pay for parking or wait for a spot on a busy machine. In Western New York, many find this to be a significant benefit, particularly individuals who prefer to place small wagers or try out a new game without the anxiety of a busy floor.

The local budget counselors, however, warn neophytes that being convenient can be double-edged. A swipe and a mouse click can lead to a loss of control over spending at an alarming rate. Compared with the definite pattern of a visit to a casino, being casual —that’s what playing at a computer feels like by comparison — can be a loss on a moment’s notice unless people are vigilant.

Finding the Highest Rated Casinos

Players increasingly share advice on which sites are trustworthy and payout regularly. The highest-rated casinos are attractive to dedicated users because of past dealings with shady sites, having cautioned numerous people to be wary. This caution about trustworthiness is much the same kind of thought locals reserve for selecting a trustworthy mechanic or favorite pizza joint: the news spreads fast if a site seems shady or insecure.

Discussion of terms, including bonus details, withdrawal rates and legitimate customer service, helps newcomers to be well-informed. Most people prefer licensed sites that demonstrate clear safety measures and offer convenient options within their budget. Such details matter when real money is at stake and people expect to feel a sense of peace of mind and excitement about a possible jackpot.

Brick-and-Mortar Casinos Adjust Their Game

Then what's the impact on everyday attractions and atmospheres of live gaming as ever-increasing numbers of locals watch at home? Several legacy casinos have already undergone the transition, most notably on less crowded weekdays. Bus tour services have fewer bookings than they did ten years ago and midweek lunch crowds for casino dining rooms are also down.

However, busy weekends still draw crowds and the atmosphere — featuring live music, events and bettors cheering at the craps table — is something that cannot be perfectly replicated by Internet gaming. To compete, several land-based casinos have developed their apps or virtual loyalty cards, aiming to retain gamers who spend time on both the live floor and the virtual reels.

This blend of old and new proves that while internet locations receive a promotion, land-based casinos remain a destination for nights on the town and other special events.

What This Will Mean for the Community

While more Western New Yorkers listen in to gamble, louder concerns about the community's impact are being heard. Supporters of responsible gaming emphasize the availability of easily accessible resources, transparent spending limits and education on recognizing warning signs. Others call for tighter control to ensure that tax revenues from legal Internet gaming fund local services and programs.

To most people, several hands of poker or several games on the slots are little more than a pastime — the equivalent of playing a DVD or a PC game. They want to be able to place a bet on their moment of good luck, but they also want to be sure that the system is fair and secure.

Personal freedom, entertainment and community health will shape the future of Internet gaming around Buffalo and other surrounding cities. There may be further rises in the coming years as technology advances and more sites reach higher levels of licensable standards.

One thing is for sure: the wheel of rotating reels and shuffling cards won't be dying out anytime soon. In a busy hall at a casino or on a lonely phone screen, gaming continues to intersect with Western New Yorkers' lives, dictating how people play — and how they protect their pockets — in a computer-driven world.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.