Online gambling: isolation or a way to connect?  

For many, mobile phones divide us more than they connect us: texting instead of calling, video calling instead of meeting up, and sending emojis instead of expressing our feelings seem to be substitutes for real, meaningful connections. But what role do online casinos play in all this?  

Generation Z and the mobile phone  

For those born between 1997 and 2012, also known as ‘digital natives’, mobile phones are not a disruption. This generation has grown up with this technology. Unlike older generations, who saw existing social norms change with the rise of text messaging and social media, for Generation Z, connecting with others online is the norm.  

Social media may have a bad reputation among Millennials, Generation X and Baby Boomers, but for Generation Z, it’s different. Their first port of call for socialising, going out and having fun has always been their mobile phone. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it’s not going to change.  

How Generation Z approaches gaming 

To attract this generation, companies must align themselves with its values. Generation Z values authenticity and connection, and wants to participate actively rather than watch passively. This is reflected in their gaming preferences.  

When it comes to sports betting, Generation Z bettors prefer to bet on things they already find interesting. This often means traditional sports, but there is also a strong interest in betting on esports and collaborative video games. For them, traditional sports are often ‘the games my parents played when they were young’.  

When it comes to casino games, they prefer more collaborative and strategic forms of play, such as social casinos. Although social casinos may seem strange at first – a casino game where you can’t win money – the focus is on connection. It’s an opportunity to chat with friends, reminisce, share jokes and post game results on social media.  

Live casino games and their appeal to Generation Z 

Live casino games also offer an opportunity for social interaction. Here, a real dealer deals the cards or rolls the dice, and players can chat with the dealer and with other players. This creates a more engaging community atmosphere than simply playing on a slot machine. Generation Z is also interested in crash games, fish shooting games and innovative blockchain-based games with strategic elements.  

Online casino and sports betting brands that embrace these changes are reaping the rewards. Features such as leaderboards and in-game chat rooms are becoming essential for player retention.  

Gen Z’s modern social interaction  

A recent Deloitte study revealed that 40% of Gen Z respondents socialise more in video games than in the real world. This may be seen as a negative development, but it can also be understood as a shift in the form of social interaction. Companies that have grasped this are offering young people platforms where they can socialise online.  

People always need a community, whether physical or virtual. Meeting friends online is a form of convenience. For Generation Z, there is little difference between a weekly poker night at home and an evening on a poker site.  

The danger of gambling among young people 

Gambling poses a particularly significant risk to young adults. In Belgium, the Gaming Commission has noted a worrying increase in the number of gamblers aged between 18 and 25. They are gambling more frequently, for longer periods, and spending more money on online gambling than before. This trend is worrying, as this age group is also more prone to risky behaviour, such as continuing to bet after a loss or gambling late into the night.   

One of the main dangers stems from the ease of access to gambling platforms. Smartphones, mobile apps and betting sites make gambling available around the clock. Many young people start with sports betting, which may seem more familiar or less dangerous than casino games. However, the line between entertainment, sporting competition and gambling is becoming blurred, particularly due to bonuses, promotions and reward mechanisms that encourage regular returns.   

The risk is also psychological. Young people may feel that they are in control of the situation or that they can ‘win back their losses’ after a defeat. This illusion of control can encourage them to gamble more, to the point of causing financial difficulties or addiction. Peer pressure, advertising and a poor understanding of the actual chances of winning further exacerbate this vulnerability. For this reason, prevention, education and stricter controls on age and playing time are essential to protect young players.  

The future of the gambling industry  

Gambling is no longer the same as it was 30, 15 or even 5 years ago. Land-based casinos must adapt to the digital revolution by offering alternative forms of entertainment. Generation Z players may still gamble in cities like Las Vegas or Macau, but they do so via their mobile phones whilst waiting or shopping.  

Generation Z clearly prefers to gamble online. In extreme cases, this could mean that land-based casinos would lose their relevance. More importantly, this generation marks the industry’s transition from a predominantly physical phenomenon with online options to a modern way of socialising and having fun.