This is a frequently asked question by the uninitiated, yet the answer becomes increasingly elusive as the line between online gaming and online gambling blur. Indeed the gambling industry often uses the terms iGambling and iGaming interchangeably.
Many of us associate online gaming with MMO games played online in much the same fashion as you would a multiplayer game on a console or PC in the time before the internet. To many others, however, it would imply visiting an online casino and playing casino-style games.
Traditionally, we can think of gaming as an activity where the outcome is determined by the player’s skill rather than luck. Conversely, the result of a gamble is determined by luck, not skill. How true this clean-cut definition holds up in today’s world remains debatable.
Casino Games
Casino games are those you would expect to find on a casino floor, whether at a physical casino or an online one. All these games primarily involve luck, requiring little to no skill on the part of the player.
An important consideration when choosing where to bet is getting fast payments from online casinos. Be sure to check their payment options pages. Pay attention to their accepted deposit and withdrawal methods as well as each option’s processing time.
With most online casinos offering welcome bonuses, it’s also essential that you look at their wagering requirements regarding payouts. Some calculate their wagering requirement only on the bonus, others on both your deposit and the bonus. Don’t get caught unawares, as this figure has a direct impact on your ability to claim your winnings.
Slots
Slot machines are a casino staple, predicated entirely on chance. They’ve come so far from their one-armed bandit origins that they are increasingly referred to as “video slots.”
Players place their bet and spin the reels in the hope of aligning certain symbols on predetermined paylines. Once this involved pulling a lever to spin the reels, but with the transition to video, players simply press a button. Video slots have also benefited from improved artwork and animation, increased reels, and a far greater number of paylines.
Video Games
Traditionally, video games require at least some degree of skill on the player’s part to win. To do so, a player either builds up or assumes a character, known as an avatar, through which to navigate the game. They generally involve some form of narrative, too, which gets revealed to the player as they progress in the game.
That’s not to say luck is entirely removed. Take Tetris as an example. In this arcade-turned-video game, the player relies on their mastery to find the best position for whichever piece needs placing, but luck determines which pieces they are presented with.
Tomb Raider
This 1996 video game has become a cult classic and even spawned a casino slot themed around it. Players take up the role of Lara Croft, an archaeologist-adventurer, who goes off in search of a legendary artifact. Players are to solve puzzles and fight enemies to progress in the game.
Gambling-like Gaming
This generally refers to games with minigames set within the larger game where players can bet on an outcome in a simulated casino. However, the term can also be used to describe games that include any element of gambling.
Social Casinos
These are casino-inspired games that are played for free. They differ from free-to-play casino games in that there is no cash payout option, nor can any winnings be converted into real-world benefits.
Loot boxes
These are virtual consumables where a player pays either real money or in-game currency in exchange for a random selection of unknown items. They are considered a gambling tactic by neither disclosing what the player is buying nor always ensuring that what the player receives will be equal to or greater in value than the money spent. Loot boxes came under fire recently for this reason, and some countries have gone so far as to ban them.
Conclusion
Whether video games and casino games are the same or not lies primarily with the individual. Today, many casino games can be played for free and without any risk of financial loss, just as many games have started incorporating monetization strategies that blur the once-clear distinction.