Online Gambling's Global Accessibility

The online gambling industry has exploded in recent years thanks to technological developments that have improved the devices used to access sites, and internet connections in the home and in public.

However, there are still some who struggle to access online gambling platforms for a variety of reasons. Still, there are some potential solutions as gambling expert Kane Pepi discusses. More specifically, the selection of no-KYC casinos by Techopedia provides access to consumers who might struggle with restrictions or payment methods.

Restrictions Halting the Growth of Online Gambling

There is no doubt that online accessibility has helped immeasurably the growth of the gambling industry. Consumers are now able to play their favorite casino games or access sports betting markets wherever they are and at any time of the night or day.

Live sports betting is one market in particular that benefits from consumers being able to react quickly to updating markets.

But not everyone has the same access to the betting sites and apps created by operators. Accessibility is on the rise, but there are still several factors standing in the way for many consumers.

Legislation

One of the biggest factors that restrict access to online gambling sites is the legislation that governs certain areas. The US is a great example of how restrictive legislation can significantly impact online gambling access for consumers.

Gambling laws in America are decided on a state level, meaning that neighboring states can have completely different regulations. This can result in consumers living just miles apart having vastly different levels of access to gambling sites.

2018 saw the abolition of the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) saw many states make legislative changes to allow sports betting, with many also choosing to allow online sportsbooks to operate in their jurisdictions.

Conversely, the online casino market is much more restricted in the US, with just Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania allowing licensed operations. 

On a global scale, there are many open markets that welcome online gambling competition, like the UK. However, there are still many countries that operate strict gambling laws that prohibit online operators from offering some or all markets, including Japan, Qatar, and Poland.

Connectivity

The global 5G rollout is still in operation but has already helped millions of people around the world access significantly faster and stronger internet connections. However, there are still many areas in developed and developing countries that can only offer 4G or 3G connections, and some areas will struggle with any kind of reception.

Some reasons that prohibit connectivity include geographical complications, with mountainous areas facing struggles, but other regions simply can’t afford to improve their infrastructure, leaving the public at a disadvantage.

Access to Mobile Devices

As well as As of 2023, it was estimated that more than half the world's population now owned a smartphone, equating to roughly 4.3 billion people. 

This figure is rising with more affordable and second-hand devices entering the market every year. It is estimated that as much as 90% of the adult population in the US now owns a smartphone, but there are countries where this figure is significantly lower.

Many of these nations are either affected by poverty or have strict government regimes that limit online access. In particular, North Korea has just 15% smartphone adoption, but the country at the bottom of the list is American Samoa with only 4%. 

This has a significant impact on the ability of consumers to access online gambling sites and other online services.

Solutions to Online Gambling Restrictions

Despite these factors playing a major part in how easy it is for consumers to access online gambling sites, there are solutions.

Offshore Betting Facilities

Many US gamblers living in prohibitive states make use of offshore online betting operators. Gambling laws in the United States prohibit betting operators from setting up and offering their services in specific jurisdictions, however, these same laws do not prohibit consumers from accessing external sites.

Offshore betting sites are those that operate from other countries and can be accessed via the internet. While some consumers may feel wary about gambling with operators from another country, the best options are licensed and regulated in these countries.

Curacao and Malta are well known for their gambling operations that facilitate offshore gambling in other countries. This provides safe and secure access to a variety of betting markets for international customers who might otherwise have limited options.

Crypto Casinos

Crypto casinos provide consumers with an excellent offshore betting experience with a selection of benefits. One of the biggest reasons that consumers might choose a crypto casino is how easy it is to use a decentralized currency when dealing with operators in other countries.

Rather than dealing with the confusion and expense of exchange rates, consumers can enjoy fast transactions with lower fees.

Cryptocurrencies are also a great way for consumers in countries that might restrict financial independence to send or receive funds online.

While online casinos are not completely accessible to everyone, there are solutions in place to help the vast majority of consumers.

As mobile device technology continues to improve, more affordable options will begin to improve adoption rates in developing countries, and continued improvements to infrastructure will also help.

In the wake of these alternatives, legislative changes are likely to take place so local governments can enjoy greater control over the industry and redistribute revenue streams into helping local communities.

By GamesAndCasino