Online gambling would seem to be unrelated to global warming, which is constantly accelerating. But behind the virtual slots and poker tables lurk unexpected environmental problems. While players are betting in the virtual world, the real world is facing the consequences of online casinos.

Traditional casinos have always been associated with high energy consumption due to bright lights and large numbers of visitors. But things are not so simple with online casinos. At first glance, they seem more environmentally friendly: there are no large buildings, air conditioners, bright signs. But virtual gambling has an unexpected climate footprint behind it.

The digital footprint of gambling: how online gambling sites work

To understand the impact of online sites on the environment, you need to understand the principles of their work. iGaming sites exist digitally and require powerful servers and a constant internet connection.

When players launch a slot or sit at a virtual poker table, they exchange data with casino servers. They work around the clock and process millions of transactions per second. These servers keep the games running smoothly, store user information and conduct financial transactions.

These servers require data centers that consume a lot of electricity. Because of this, the equipment overheats and greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the situation is exacerbated by the fact that there are more and more online gaming sites, and these sites are becoming popular largely because of the iconic slot machines. We found lists of such machines, many of which have Gates of Olympus as one of the most popular. Notably, here it says that this video slot is the most popular game by Pragmatic Play.

The energetic impact of online gambling

Despite the lack of physical buildings, online casinos leave a noticeable carbon footprint. The primary source of their impact on the climate is the energy consumption of data centres. Already, these facilities consume up to 3% of the world’s energy, but this figure could double over the next few years. Let’s look at the key aspects of this problem:

• The constant operation of servers. Online casinos operate 24/7, which requires continuous operation of the equipment.
• Cooling of systems. Powerful air conditioning systems are required to prevent servers from overheating.
• Backup. Numerous backups are created to ensure data security, increasing the server load.
• Transaction processing. Financial transactions require additional computing power and energy.
• Graphics and animation. Modern online games are characterized by high-quality visual effects, which also increases the load on servers.

Data centres serving online casinos consume as much electricity as a small city. Much of this energy is still generated by fossil fuels, which has a negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

The path to sustainable gambling: possible solutions

Recognizing the problem is the first step to solving it. The online casino industry is already switching to renewable energy sources and adopting more energy-efficient technologies.

A promising trend is the use of “green” data centers. These modern complexes are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. They use free cooling systems, solar panels and other environmentally friendly technologies to minimize their carbon footprint.

It is important to note that solving the problem requires a comprehensive approach. Not only technological innovations are needed, but also changes in legislation to incentivize the industry to shift to greener operating models. Players can also do their part by choosing casinos that care about the environment.