Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the largest global crises of the 21st century. It has affected almost all spheres of life — and the gambling industry is no exception. The closure of land-based casinos, cancellation of events, lockdowns and economic instability have forced players and operators to sharply reorient themselves towards online gambling.

In this article, we will analyze exactly what changes the pandemic has brought to the world of online casinos, what has become the new standard, how player behavior has changed, and what technologies have come to the fore.

How has the pandemic changed the landscape of the industry?

Online gambling growth in numbers

• In 2020, online gambling grew by about 35% worldwide.
• The number of new online casino registrations increased by 40-60%.
• In some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada, online gambling accounts for up to 75% of all gambling.
• Mobile users have become the main audience: up to 70% of bets are placed from the phone.

Player behavior: what has changed?

1. New players

People who had never gambled before started trying online casinos because of boredom, closed clubs, and a lot of free time.

2. Session frequency

Game sessions have become more frequent, but shorter — players log in several times a day for 10-15 minutes.

3. Focus on “budget” games

Users choose:

• Slots with low bids;
• Mini-games (crash, wheels, dice);
• Free spins and cashback formats.

4. Choosing mobile platforms

Smartphone games have replaced PCs and even tablets.

What did the casino operators do?

New trends from the pandemic

1. Live Casino as standard

Games with real dealers have become a mandatory part of any serious platform.

2. Flexible bonus systems

Players received:

• Risk-free bids.
• No deposit free spins;
• Bonuses for re-entries.

3. VR and AR integration

First steps towards virtual halls where you can “walk” between tables.

4. Gamification

Quests, missions, levels, achievements-casinos start to resemble mobile games.

Risks and challenges

Despite the growth, the pandemic has also worsened some problem areas:

• Gambling addiction: under conditions of stress and loneliness, the number of addicted players has increased.
• Regulatory pressure: a number of countries have started to tighten their rules (deposit limits, advertising bans).
• Fraud: a surge in fake platforms and “one-day casinos”.

Example: how the pandemic changed the Latvian market

• Until 2020, the share of online gambling was ~20% of total gambling.
• After the introduction of lockdown and the closure of all offline casinos, the share of online casinos reached 90%+.
• Legalized online casinos showed a 45% increase in revenue.

Industry sustainability

Gambling turned out to be one of the most flexible and stable areas in the crisis:

How can a player adapt?

• Choose proven platforms with licenses and reviews.
• Limit your gaming budgets (ideally by using limits inside the casino).
• Use bonuses wisely, without giving in to impulsive bets;
• Monitor your behavior — especially in conditions of isolation and stress.

Conclusion

The pandemic has become a watershed moment for the online casino industry. The closure of offline establishments, the growth of digital activity and changes in player behavior have created a new reality dominated by mobility, live games, bonus loyalty and individual approach.

The industry was able not only to survive, but also to move to a new level, which opened up more convenience for players, and new opportunities for businesses.