There was a time not so long ago that betting firms were focusing on their high street presence and were looking at ways of innovating their betting shops to attract more customers. But given the proliferation of the Internet and the ever-increasing online presence of betting sites, it’s little surprise that betting companies are embracing digitization and moving their core operations to digital platforms. Frankly, there are few compelling reasons why a betting firm would rather focus on their offline business as opposed to their online presence; such is the sweeping popularity of online gambling.
Here are three main reasons why betting sites are moving to digital platforms and why this shift isn’t likely to reverse any time in the near future.
Advancements in technology and software
It’s never been easier than it is today for betting firms to create a tailored and impressive digital platform for their clients. With the help of a talented web developer, a betting site can transform its online offering and provide a huge range of key features to its clients, including in-play betting, live streaming, cash-out options, and real-time special offers such as free bet bonuses and promotions. This can all be done remotely and doesn’t require a huge staff presence, particularly when compared to maintaining brick and mortar venues.
Also, most betting sites are powered by the same technology, which has come so far in recent years. Tech firms like Microgaming and NetEnt provide some of the best software that powers the digital platforms of many of the biggest betting sites in the UK, and their service has made it really easy for betting firms to focus on building their online presence.
The decline of the high street
Bookmakers have been a mainstay of high streets throughout the UK for generations. But in recent years, the high street, in general, has experienced a rapid decline. As rent, business rates, and staffing costs have all increased, the appeal of maintaining brick and mortar venues has undoubtedly decreased for bookmakers. The fact that they have been able to tailor their business models to focus on online growth has undoubtedly been expedited by the decline of the high street, and it has made the transition to digital platforms even more important.
By embracing digitization, betting firms are also responding to the needs and priorities of their customer bases. Most punters no longer see the need in travelling from their homes to place their bets at an actual betting shop when they can do everything from their laptop or smartphone. The decline of the high street betting shop has gone hand in hand with the proliferation of online gambling, and this is a trend that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
To offer more variety to their customers
From a single digital platform, betting firms can offer incredible variety to their customers. Lots of the most popular betting sites in the UK, for instance, offer comprehensive sportsbooks, traditional casino games, live casinos, and a huge selection of slots, all from the same digital platform. What’s more, there’s provision for other aspects of online gambling like bingo, which has undoubtedly grown in popularity in recent years, as bingo halls have closed in huge numbers.
It’s much easier and much more cost-effective for betting firms to offer a wide variety of services and markets to their customers from a digital platform than it is from a brick-and-mortar base. For instance, a high street bookmaker might have a couple of gambling machines where players can play a small selection of table games and slots. But on a digital platform powered by state-of-the-art technology, punters can enjoy thousands of slots and an awesome selection of traditional table games, with unrivaled graphics and great bonuses. The ability to provide a range of services from the same digital platform is undoubtedly appealing to betting firms.
Above are three of the fundamental reasons why betting firms are embracing the switch to digital platforms and are constantly looking to innovate and improve their service offer to their clients. As technology continues to advance in the future, and as more and more betting sites enter the market, we’re likely to see even more impressive digital platforms, from which punters can enjoy a wide range of markets and services.