Football and betting have gone hand-in-hand long before the sport was even ratified, so it’s no surprise that football fans love a bit of online gaming. What is more of a surprise, especially to long-term sports bettors, is that increasingly, football fans are turning to online casino games to fill their time between games, or even between seasons.
What’s behind the trend? Let’s get into it:
High-Quality Sports-Themed Games
One of the biggest draws is that online casinos today, like Kanuuna, offer a variety of high-quality, engaging sports-themed games to enjoy. Football fans aren’t just lovers of their teams; they are lovers of the game. Yes, joining your local team or meeting up with friends for some fun is all well and good, but combine poor pitch conditions during winter, and just poor weather overall, and you start to see why so many football fans have turned to online gaming.
There’s Football Star, Football: Champions Cup, and Goal Strike Rising Rewards. Each of these games offers quality graphics and sound, making them an engaging way to have fun when you need to pass the time.
New Challenges and New Ways to Win
Online gaming, unlike sports betting, can be played at any time. You can play it during halftime as easily as you can enjoy it on the way to or from the game, or even on a random Tuesday. This means you have more opportunities to enjoy that thrill of playing a game, even if you don’t win. If your team is on an international break, it can help keep your day-to-day more fun while you wait.
New Ways to Stay Connected
Sports is about passion and connection, which is why online games are coming in to fill the spot. Even playing individually can be done collectively thanks to the introduction of tournaments on casino platforms. Some sites even allow for live chats, making the entire experience more social.
Stay Engaged with Their Favourite Sport
Online games ultimately help fans stay engaged and connected, allowing them to have fun and “fill the void,” so to speak during off-season or international breaks. They combine the fun of traditional slot games with a sport you love.
Online Games Appeal to the Digital-First Generations
Digital-first generations like Gen Z and Millennials are digital natives, and not only are they used to the second-screen experience (using your phone while watching on a TV or computer), they’re likely doing it right now. This second-screen ecosystem means that they can stay engaged and have fun, even during a slow-paced match.
These digital-first generations are also more likely to engage with football in general through gaming than other traditional media, with a study by the International Football Association Board finding that 60% of people between 16 and 24 preferred to engage with football through games. The games in question can range from the FIFA series to, of course, online gaming.
Betting and Online Gaming Go Hand-In-Hand
Those who enjoy sports betting will often also enjoy online casino play. This means that those who place a bet on their teams will typically also be at least interested in picking up a casino game. Most casino games also require minimal learning curves, so players can get started in a snap.
