The United Kingdom has had a long-standing association with gambling and is now firmly established as a key jurisdiction in the industry.
Up to the latter part of the 20th century, anyone who wanted to gamble had no other option than to visit land-based venues to fuel their passion. However, advancements in technology since the turn of the century have completely changed the landscape in the gambling sector.
Nowadays you can go online and get a signing bonus which can be used to play games like roulette, blackjack and a multitude of slots without having to leave your home. Bingo and sports betting are other gambling elements which have benefited massively from technological innovations in recent years.
To gain a better understanding of how we have arrived at this point, read on as we take a closer look at the history of casinos and gambling in Wales.
Laying the foundations for gambling
Gambling in the UK can be traced all the way back to the 1500s, when it was an activity primarily undertaken by the upper classes. Strict legislation made it difficult for gambling to cross into the mainstream, meaning it was largely driven underground in its various forms.
The introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act in the early 1960s proved to be a pivotal moment for the gambling industry in the UK. Betting shops were allowed to open their doors, while other establishments such as brick-and-mortar casinos soon became commonplace.
Wales was at the forefront of the gambling boom, with the Casino Club Port Talbot the first fully licensed venue to open in 1961. Welsh entrepreneur George Alfred James was the brains behind the operation, and he subsequently opened some of the biggest land-based casinos in the UK.
Cashing in on the boom
Casinos were not the only gambling venues that flourished with betting shops and bingo halls also becoming a staple part of Wales from the 1960s onwards.
Wagering on horse racing was particularly popular, helping venues such as Chepstow Racecourse establish itself as an integral part of UK racing. Bingo also boomed, with most towns and cities across Wales boasting at least one land-based venue over the next few decades. Dance halls and cinemas were often converted into bingo halls, helping the game become the go-to social activity for millions of people.
However, shifting consumer habits as the new millennium approached sparked a downturn in the fortunes of many brick-and-mortar gambling venues. The launch of the internet proved to be a lifesaver, allowing established and a new wave of operators transform how the industry operated.
Technology powers a brave new world
If you were around when the internet was first launched, you will likely remember its limited capabilities and underwhelming user experience. The earliest online betting and casino sites were blighted by a lack of functionality and other issues caused by unstable broadband connectivity.
However, technology quickly advanced, allowing gambling operators to develop increasingly immersive online websites. Casino sites with hundreds of different games soon became the norm, while bingo flourished into an activity that went way beyond the traditional 90-ball variant. Online sports betting sites also boomed, allowing punters to wager on events taking place around the world on a 24/7/365 basis.
Advancements in smartphone technology which allow players to always stay connected and play from anywhere in the world have powered further growth in the gambling industry, but it is unlikely we have reached the peak of what can be achieved just yet.
The future of gambling in Wales
While online gambling has become big business in Wales, there are undoubtedly some areas where the sector could improve its offering to bettors. There is a distinct lack of Welsh language options on casino, bingo, and sports betting sites, which is an issue that should be addressed.
Figures published by the Welsh government in March 2021 reported that 883,300 people are able to speak Welsh and the figures have been rising. Voice recognition software may well be incorporated into online casinos in the future to make them even more appealing to Welsh citizens.
Virtual reality (VR) is another emerging technology which could have a major impact on the online gambling industry in Wales and further afield. The supporting hardware is now capable of delivering hugely entertaining experiences, which will transform how online gambling is undertaken over the coming years.
The final word
Technology has helped the UK gambling industry generate massive revenues, making it one of the most lucrative sectors in the country. This trend looks guaranteed to continue for the foreseeable future, particularly as more people make smartphones their digital device of choice.
Wales has largely mirrored the UK in terms of the speed of the growth it has witnessed in online gambling and will keep following this path over the next few years.