In contrast to music, things like sports and online gambling have no problem transcending generational boundaries. Kids these days can barely stand listening to the same music as their older siblings, let alone their parents. Sports on the other hand has never had a problem being shared between you, your parents and even grandparents.
Gambling is another great example of this. From Baby Boomers to Millennials to Generation Z’s and onwards, online casinos have something for everyone.
Bridging the Gap
Since it first came into our lives back in 1994, online gambling has gone through a lot. I mean perhaps not as much as Caitlin Jenner but still an impressive transformation.
Every year and every decade have had their own challenges but the online casinos have been extremely resistant and have managed to adapt and exceed all of them. Now, multiple generations are able to enjoy the fruit of the labor at the same time.
Even though the games are the same as they have always been, playing them never gets old, no matter how old YOU get. Everyone is welcome to partake in the highly entertaining world of online casinos.
So what has made the casinos so desirable to so many different generations? Well, let’s take a close look at each of their technological innovations, variety of games as well as social aspects.
Baby Boomers (Born 1946–1964)
After World War II, there was a significant increase in birth rate, leading to the generations of people being born between 1946 and 1964 to be known as Baby Boomers. These guys know the value of hard work and are not shy to put in the hours it takes to create a good future for themselves. The word determination is very fitting to this group.
In terms of casino action, Slots and Poker hold a strong position and because of their strong beliefs in traditions, these Boomers often opt for brick-and-mortar casinos purely for nostalgia
As technological advancements now allow them to play online, a lot of them have discovered the beauty of being able to have their casino fun from the comfort of their own homes.
We all know the importance of marketing as do the casinos of course. They have managed to keep the interest of these players by making sure there is a variety of both traditional games as well as more modern day. This means that Boomers can continue to relive their past and enjoy the nostalgia of their old favorite still to this day.
This Generation’s Gambling Preferences
For those who are not so familiar with the actual gambling preferences of these Boomers, they can be summed up in the following way:
- Classic Games
With great memories of the traditional land based casinos, Baby Boomers will look for games that remind them of previous experiences from the past — this includes classic Slots, Poker, and Blackjack.
- Technology Meets Skepticism
While they’re more technologically adaptable than the generation before them (Silent Generation Born 1928–1945), Baby Boomers are still skeptical about new features. Although newer inventions like Virtual reality casinos or augmented reality games might pique their interest, the transition can sometimes be too big of a challenge and not worth the effort.
Generation X (Born 1965–1980)
Also referred to as the MTV generation, Generation X is squeezed in between Baby Boomers and Millennials. This was the first generation to experience and embrace the digital age and was among the early adopters of online gambling.
The majority now being either parents or grandparents, juggling a busy life of family and work is mixed in with their gambling. Once again, online casinos have figured out what it takes to allow them to continue to gamble without having to sacrifice their important daily duties and/or needing to leave their homes.
This Generation’s Gambling Preferences
How does Gen Xers differ from Baby Boomers when it comes to casino games? Well, these guys tend to prefer more skill-based games such as Blackjack and Poker. The reason being that they prefer games that actually require something more than just luck, giving them a chance to put their brains to use.
If you have spent some time online, you know the endless options of skill-based games that you can find at each casino. These games have the perfect balance between old and new.
- Live-Dealer Games
Believe it or not but a certain type of games that appeal to Gen X are the ones with a live-dealer. These games are great at mixing digital convenience with the human touch, which is perfect for this crowd. As they also enjoy exploring newer versions, things like Progressive Jackpots and slots with fun themes are a popular choice.
- The Importance of Cyber Security
These players are naturally more advanced than the previous generation and are very focused on things like cybersecurity. In order to attract Gen X players, casinos must show they prioritize Data Protection, Two-Factor Authentication, and Encrypted Transactions.
Millennials (Born 1981–1996)
While Generation X was the first generation to embrace the Digital Age, it was the Millennials that became the first digital natives. Being born during this time period meant they were born smack in the middle of the Digital Age and therefore no strangers to online entertainment. In other words, our online casinos became a natural fit for their type of lifestyle.
Even though these people were literally born into online gambling, you might be surprised to hear that the appeal isn’t so much the gambling itself but the experience that comes with it. There’s no denying that this generation thrives on social interactions and more so the social aspect of gambling. Once again, Live Casinos are a popular choice among this group of players.
This Generation’s Gambling Preferences
Being more tech-savvy than any of the previous generation also reflects on their preferred gambling choices. Players belonging to this group tend to look for things like cutting-edge graphics, mobile compatibility, and innovative features.
Casinos with their own apps do have a slight advantage but since basically all casinos are available on your phone anyway, apps aren’t as important as we first thought. However, the important thing is that you are able to play on the go, at any given time.
In terms of the above mentioned experiences and innovations, Millennials expect:
- Mobile Friendly Gambling
Millennials do most of their gambling on the go. This is the reason why casinos make sure they develop responsive designs, mobile apps, and very importantly have quick loading times to align with the player’s lifestyle.
- Social Gaming and Gamification
The social aspect of gambling is important to this group, making tournaments and platforms with social media integration very popular. Players are especially attracted to games and promotions that include different levels where you are rewarded for certain achievements.
Generation Z (Born 1997–2012)
Growing up with tablets and smartphones has turned the online world into something as natural as eating breakfast by this generation. Dealing with anything digital is second nature to these people and being tech-savvy is expected and not something that makes you smart and special. In other words, this might be the generation that is the best fit for online casinos out of all of them.
If you don’t exist on the phone, you basically don’t exist as a casino or any type of brand. Constantly on the go, they expect the world to be just a click away. One of the biggest things that sets Generation Z apart from the rest is their interest in esports and virtual-reality gaming.
This Generation’s Gambling Preferences
It’s a world that not all of us are familiar with but the fact is that Esports leagues and tournaments, together with virtual reality events provide an engaging and immersive experience that these players want. If you are a casino that can satisfy these needs then you have a chance at getting Gen Z players and they are very appealing.
These guys are set to revolutionize the future of the online gambling industry. Their unique interests and preferences have already resulted in trends such as this:
- Esports Betting
With an inherent appreciation for video games, Gen Z is the one who has contributed the most to the rise of Esports betting. Their familiarity with gaming personalities, tournaments, and titles makes them key consumers in this niche market. The Esports world is bigger than most of us can imagine and so is the money involved.
- Innovative Payment Methods
As a generation, Gen Z is the biggest proponent of Cryptocurrency as payment. Also, things like Apple Pay or Google Pay and other types of digital wallets together with instant bank transfers are becoming their preferred ways of making transactions.
An Interesting Future Awaits
It’s interesting to follow the evolution of each generation and the innovations that come with it. As the kids of Generation Alpha are slowly becoming teenagers, their view on anything to do with digital is all they know and will be the ones most adaptable to the future.
Nobody really knows what lies decades ahead, but as always there will be generations that will see whatever comes as being the norm and they will expect casinos to keep up. One thing is for sure, I don’t think online casinos are going anywhere anytime soon.
Before you go, if you want to look at the list of our favorite crypto casinos of today, just click here.
Leave a Reply