For years, one of the main downsides of online gambling was the lack of a social element. In land-based casinos, players celebrate, discuss, and sometimes even argue, while pressing virtual buttons on an internet platform is as solitary as it gets. To switch things up a bit and make the online gambling experience more appealing, Canada’s competitive casino industry came up with several strategies to build online communities.
Entering the Forum
In Rome, the forum was the centre of social, political and religious life. In online casinos, forums follow pretty much the main premise. They are parts of the platform where gamblers can chat, exchange opinions and discuss new games, bonuses, and trends. However, their engagement also goes beyond gambling.
It is not uncommon to witness players sharing memes, jokes, and experiences outside the world of gambling. A discussion about soccer odds can easily slip into a heated argument about teams, coaches, and athletes.
Forums help raise a sense of community by giving players a spot to meet like-minded people. Although today we see more social media than forum boards, they are still an essential part of many casinos in Canada.
Building Community Through Special Events
Another strategy online casinos use is creating special bonus offers by adding the element of gamification. Although standard deals will never go out of style, players frequently seek elevated experiences that include challenges, adrenaline-inducing spins and fighting competition to the ground.
In the new era of online casinos, it seems players love special events as much as deposit deals.
Special events are mostly online-based and boil down to tournaments in one or more games. The main goal is to climb the leaderboard and win a share of the prize pot. The number of games included in such competitions varies, just like the size of the pot. Rewards can be anything from free spins to casino merch and tickets to big events.
The main advantage of special events is not casino bonuses and deals. It is that they make gamblers aware they are not alone and that there are a bunch of other people enjoying the same game at the same time.
Creating Support Network
And while casinos can do a lot in building communities, so can their customers. Reddit, Discord, and other online platforms are full of support systems created by the gamblers from the gamblers. After all, no one knows the inside of gambling better than people who play games.
Such platforms are a precious source of first-hand information. Players can easily find personal experience with certain casinos and games, as well as strategies to keep their money safe. Yet, there is a catch.
Any piece of advice received from another gambler should be taken with a grain of salt. When players share their opinions, they know that they are shaped by their experience, and it is impossible to know what lies in the background. Some gamblers prefer a high-risk approach, while others don’t read the T&Cs, so it is necessary to stay objective and not fall under the influence of others.
The same goes for special tips and strategies some people sell online. No matter how convincing they sound, know that most casino games are completely random and unpredictable.