Why retail casinos are slowly moving online only

It’s hardly a secret that the retail industry is going through some tough times. This has been the way for the last decade and it was heightened by the coronavirus outbreak a few years ago. Some members of the retail world managed to bounce back and enjoy prolonged success while others continue to feel the heat.

Retail casinos are one particular area that’s been hit badly over the last couple of years.

After many smaller brands closed their doors, we were struck with huge news as the UK’s oldest casino closed after 195 years in October 2023. It was a big wake-up call for the sector and many other retail casinos are worried they might be next.

 As you zoom in on this particular retail area, it quickly becomes obvious why so many retail casinos are slowly closing down.

A new wave of online casinos makes their presence known

At the heart of the retail casino shakedown is this new birth of online casinos.

Online gambling has been popular in the UK for years, but we’re now being introduced to new possibilities. International and European casino sites are opening their doors to British players for the first time. You can find many of these on CasinoGam which include only the best overseas casinos for Brits to enjoy.  

What significance does this hold for the retail sector?

Offshore casinos present unique perks or games you can’t find at real casinos. This is true for normal UK-based online casinos, but overseas sites take it a step further.

You’re able to bet using cryptocurrency or foreign currencies, and you can play special European or international games - and this is all done away from the watchful eye of the UKGC. Players love getting a casino experience with more relaxed regulations, meaning more and more are moving away from land-based retail options.

Customers are sick of the strict rules at retail casinos

A retail casino will obviously have rules relating to gambling habits. Everyone knows them, but they aren’t the reason for retail casino closures. Punters learn to deal with these rules - but it’s other casino rules that get in the way and ruin their fun.  

Most specifically, dress codes.

People are getting sick and tired of going to retail casinos and being forced to dress a certain way. Some of the older establishments are very strict on this front and you won’t be allowed in unless you’re wearing shoes or smart clothing. In many ways, it’s like you’re going to a fancy nightclub or restaurant, rather than a casino.

This creates a clear lack of convenience and drives punters right into the hands of the online gambling world. Perhaps it’s not surprising that some of the retail casinos still thriving are those without any dress codes at all.

There’s a lack of interest in casino jobs

In the past, working at a casino was a brilliant job to boast about. It was well paid, you got to experience fun things and be in a cool atmosphere. Now though, things are different. Retail workers are generally poorly paid and there’s a distinct lack of interest in casino jobs.

The problem stems from a combination of things:  

●      Casino shift patterns are irregular and extremely long

●      Nobody wants to work night shifts

●      Casinos lack the money to pay for enough staff

●      Casino staff wages are lower than they used to be (relatively speaking)

This creates the perfect concoction for nobody to want a job in this industry. Throw in another glaring problem; unruly customers. People don’t enjoy the idea of dealing with customers who’ve just lost a lot of money. They also find it hard to get past the idea of watching customers gamble their savings away. 

It’s not the best industry to work in, so retail casinos are struggling to pool together a workforce. As a consequence, more are shutting down as they simply can’t afford to stay open or can’t find enough people to keep them open.

The rising retail crime rate poses significant concerns

We mentioned in a previous post that retail crime soared in 2022/23. Violence and abuse against retail workers were up last year despite the introduction of better prevention methods. It spells worrying signs for a trend we don’t want to see at all.

Retail casinos are particularly troubled by this news. You won’t find many retail establishments with as much cash on-site as these. It makes them prime targets for robberies, meaning more money must be invested in hiring security staff and taking special preventative measures.

Let’s not forget the unruly customers too; casino staff are regularly abused by people taking their frustrations out.

Both of these issues blend into the problem mentioned above about the lack of interest in casino jobs. Retail casinos can’t find people to work security for them, meaning their establishments are at risk. They also can’t get people to work tables or serve drinks due to the growing abuse.  

With all these points considered, it looks like retail casinos will have a tough job bouncing back from this position. Especially as the online casino industry continues to grow at a rapid rate, offering a similar experience but from the comfort of your home.