The gambling industry has progressed massively over the past few years, with online access opening up a wide range of future opportunities.
Gambling on the move makes up around a third of the market in Great Britain according to the Gambling Commission, with profits from remote activity more than doubling since 2015.
Travelling can often be a tedious experience, but it’s now possible to liven things up if you’re on a cruise ship or even in the air.
Many airlines currently offer Wi-Fi, video games and a host of in-flight entertainment options designed to enhance the whole flying experience.
The option to gamble online whilst flying allows passengers to play an array of casino games and access bonuses from their seat such as the excellent LeoVegas 50 free spins offer.
Airlines have also considered introducing special lounges on long-haul flights, offering people a similar experience to that found on cruise ships.
French company Airjet Designs has worked in collaboration with Designescence to create the Casino Jet Lounge – a concept that features casino games tables, a bar and space for passengers to socialise.
Whilst the idea appears to be targeted at first-class customers, it’s entirely feasible this could be rolled out on most long-haul flights in the coming years.
There are areas for the airlines to consider if gambling in the air is ever to fully take off.
Aeroplane Wi-Fi technology isn’t yet at the same level as land-based services, with simple browsing, using social media and accessing emails often the limit to what you can achieve online whilst in the air.
However, that is set to change in the near future with communications firm Inmarsat recently telling the Telegraph that over half of the world’s aircraft will be properly equipped for in-flight Wi-Fi within the next six years.
British Airways and Lufthansaare already said to have signed up for Inmarsat’s services, with many more airlines set to follow suit for what the company says will become “a billion-dollar revenue sector by 2020”.
The concept of the casino lounge also has some drawbacks, with considerations over where to install the casino floor high on the list.
Possible passenger dissatisfaction over reduced luggage space has been cited as a major issue, but if airlines can find a way of minimising the disruption whilst increasing their profits through online gambling you can be sure they will find a way to make it happen.
While the airline industry still has a little way to go before being able to offer the same level of online gambling services that are available on land and sea, the idea certainly looks like it will soon become a regular feature for passengers around the world.