Gambling by Country. Top Dog Casinos brings you a comprehensive list of the most popular games played worldwide.
Last Updated: May 18, 2023
You’d be forgiven for thinking that most gamblers would share the same priority. That being, to find the best casino games to win money and stick with them.
In reality, profits often take a backseat to pure and simple fun. Precisely what casino gaming should be about – enjoyment and entertainment. Precisely why many (sensibly) sidestep the best paying casino games in favor of those they actually enjoy playing.
But what’s also interesting to note is how gambling preferences differ significantly from one country to the next. Some games are exponentially more popular in some regions than others, for reasons that aren’t always apparent.
Here’s a brief overview of a few gambling by country facts to illustrate this interesting disparity:
Baccarat
One of the all-time classic casino games, Baccarat is the game of choice for gamblers in Asian countries and New Zealand. Far more so than in the west, where the vast majority of younger gamblers never give the Baccarat table a second glance.
Some have attributed the popularity of Baccarat in Asian countries to the fact that a sizeable proportion of the Asian gamblers believe in fate. Given that Baccarat is a purely chance-based game where it is impossible to influence the outcome, fate is really the only thing you have on your side.
Others simply believe it’s a case of tradition, with Baccarat having been played across many Asian countries in one form or another for generations.
Belote
Polls conducted across the country suggest that this century-old game is played by at least 50% of all French adults at some point or another. It’s an extremely simple card game that can be played at home or at a casino, enjoyed by millions on a daily basis.
Which is surprising, given how most casino gamers outside France may never have even heard of Belote. The basic idea of the game is to hit the combination of a Queen and a King, pitting your wits against at least three other players.
Online Belote has exploded in popularity over recent years and is well worth checking out.
Pachinko
Over in Japan, nothing stirs excitement quite like a spot of Pachinko. Not the kind of game you’ll find in the average online VIP casino, but a staple in traditional gaming halls across the country.
Perhaps the best way of describing Pachinko would be as something of a combination between a pinball machine and a traditional one-armed bandit. It took a while before the digital version of Pachinko appeared online, but a good few casinos now offer at least a basic interpretation to see how it all works.
Pachinko has likewise been around for more than 100 years, and for the most part has remained largely unchanged over the decades.
Slot Machines
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the vast majority of Americans say that slot machines are their preferred form of gambling. This is probably due to the fact that every casino in the United States is populated predominantly (or exclusively in some instances) by slots.
The classic fruit machine is something of a cultural phenomenon in America, paving the way for the technologically advanced online slots of today. They’re also the biggest money spinners for casinos, typically generating at least 80% of the average establishment’s revenues.
It’s the simplicity and accessibility of slots that keeps players coming back for more. Not to mention, the fact that they can be played for pennies.
Blackjack
Everybody loves blackjack, but perhaps not on the same level as Europeans. Across pretty much every casino in Europe and the United Kingdom, the blackjack table is the most popular by far. It’s also one of the most popular online casino games across Europe and the rest of the world.
Its popularity in Europe is most likely attributed to the fact that it has been played there for hundreds of years. Accounts differ, by most historians agree that blackjack was probably played for the first time in France in the 1700s.
As with slots, much of the appeal of blackjack lies in its simplicity. Not to mention, the fact that mathematical thinkers with photographic memories have the opportunity to tip the odds slightly in their favor.
Sports Betting
Last but not least, the United Kingdom has always been a nation of dedicated sports bettors. It’s currently estimated that around 37 million Brits take part in gambling activities on a regular basis, of which 40% are all about betting on horses.
Casino slots are also immensely popular in the UK, attracting around 37% of all gamblers. Interestingly, casino table games don’t score nearly as highly among Brits, attracting just 15% of those who gamble on a regular basis.
Sports betting is a pastime rooted in tradition in the United Kingdom, explaining its popularity even today.
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