Can Airline Wi-Fi and Casino Gaming Be a Perfect Combination?

Charles Ingel - Monday, 13 May 2019 - Features

Back in 1981, Singapore Airlines had a bold idea to introduce the concept of a flying casino. They decided to test it out by installing compact slot machines on a specific flight route connecting Singapore to San Francisco. It seemed like an innovative and exciting venture at the time. However, the airline soon realized that managing and upkeeping these machines posed significant difficulties. It didn't take long for them to abandon the experiment altogether. The concept of gambling at 30,000 feet was intriguing, but the practicalities proved to be more demanding than anticipated.

Back in the 90s, Swissair decided to give in-flight gambling another go. This time, instead of traditional gambling machines, they offered passengers digital software. Imagine being able to place bets and play poker, keno, and blackjack right on the in-flight entertainment system! However, things took a turn for the worse when a plane crash in 1998 was partially attributed to the gambling system. As a result, airlines quickly lost interest in incorporating such technology onboard.

In the year 2005, my beloved airline Virgin Atlantic once entertained a rather audacious notion of incorporating bona fide gambling establishments right within the confines of their colossal Airbus A380 aircraft. However, as fate would have it, this captivating concept ultimately fizzled out, never materializing into a reality. Interestingly enough, during this very same era, the renowned low-cost carrier Ryanair also toyed with the idea of embellishing their airplanes with a similar indulgence, yet, regrettably, they too were unable to transform this whimsical notion into tangible results. The skies, it seems, were not destined to become a playground for high-flying gamblers.

I recently came across an interesting development in the airline industry. It seems that with the growing popularity of in-flight WiFi, airlines in the United States, such as JetBlue, are contemplating the idea of incorporating online casino games into their in-flight entertainment options. This concept has caught the attention of major brands like 888 Casino, who are actively seeking partnerships with in-flight entertainment providers like DTI to delve deeper into this exciting possibility. It's fascinating to see how the world of technology and entertainment collide in such unique ways, providing passengers with new and innovative forms of entertainment while they travel. The prospect of being able to play casino games while soaring through the clouds certainly adds an element of excitement to the overall flying experience. It will be interesting to see how these partnerships shape up and if we'll soon find ourselves trying our luck at the virtual casino during our next flight.

However, currently there are limited choices available, meaning passengers are left with only a single available option for playing online casino games during a flight - utilizing the Wi-Fi provided by the airline.

Airline WiFi stands alone as the sole choice for staying connected in-flight.

There aren't too many options out there in the sky if you desire internet connectivity on your mobile device for casino gaming. Since mobile signals like 3G and 4G simply cannot keep up with the high speeds and altitudes at which modern jetliners fly, it becomes quite a challenge.

Unless Airline Wi-Fi is taken into consideration, one would hardly come across this amenity in the airline industry. However, stumbling upon a flight equipped with this service could greatly enhance one's experience. When it comes to indulging in online casino gaming while airborne, Airline Wi-Fi is most likely the sole option available at present.

Airline WiFi technology, like everything else in our fast-paced world, is constantly evolving. However, it still has its fair share of limitations and weaknesses that can sometimes be a cause for frustration. Comparing it to the reliable and efficient WiFi we have in the comfort of our homes or offices is like comparing apples to oranges. We have all become so dependent on our personal WiFi networks that the idea of using airline WiFi can feel like taking a step back in time. Despite the advancements made in the aviation industry, there are still areas where the in-flight WiFi falls short. It may not be as fast or as reliable as we would hope for, and there may be times when the connection is weak or intermittent. This can be particularly frustrating if you have important work to catch up on or simply want to stay connected with loved ones during your journey. While airlines are continuously working to improve their WiFi offerings, it is important to manage our expectations and be prepared for the limitations that may come with it. In the meantime, it might be wise to have alternative entertainment options or offline work prepared for those moments when the WiFi is not up to par.

Experiencing casino gaming on Airline WiFi right now is far from being an optimal choice, to put it mildly. The less-than-ideal nature of this endeavor can be attributed to several key factors, which we shall delve into in the subsequent sections.

Drawbacks of utilizing onboard Wi-Fi for mobile gambling

Not universally available

• Out of the approximately 800 worldwide airlines, only about 82 provide passengers with the convenience of in-flight WiFi. When it comes to this aspect, the United States is significantly leading the way compared to other countries. The majority of these airlines rely on Gogo Air as their network provider.
• Currently, the continent is equipped with a network of Air-to-Ground (ATG) towers, specifically designed by the company, that grants planes the ability to effortlessly access the internet. Over 240 ATG towers have been successfully deployed thus far.
• Regrettably, the situation worsens when traveling abroad as the WiFi provided by European airlines falls short of expectations. Furthermore, the connectivity offered by other airlines worldwide is currently unreliable or completely absent.

Sluggish velocities and inconsistent network links.

• Despite the implementation of GoGo Air's ATG technology, the browsing speeds provided on numerous routes are insufficient for tasks beyond fundamental activities like email checking and web browsing.
• Despite incorporating GoGo Air ATG technology, the available browsing speeds on various routes are insufficient for anything beyond fundamental tasks such as email checking and web browsing.
• Streaming services such as Netflix or Youtube can be extremely aggravating due to the slow internet speeds experienced on numerous paths.
• Fortunately, engaging in instant play games at internet-based gambling establishments does not necessitate an exceptionally rapid connection. However, for added assurance, it is advisable to seek out flights that ensure a complete and uninterrupted WiFi access.
• Delta, United, Southwest, and American Airlines ensure comprehensive WiFi connectivity on both their international long-haul flights and numerous domestic routes.

Airline Wi-Fi comes at a high price.

• In addition to all of that, airlines have to impose an extra fee for this service because of the expenses associated with implementing the system, as well as the additional fuel costs caused by the added weight. There are only a few airlines that provide complimentary Wi-Fi.

• I vividly recall my experience with different airlines and their in-flight Wi-Fi rates. It was quite fascinating to discover the wide range of prices, anywhere from $5 to $15 or even higher. However, one thing that fascinated me the most was the fact that these rates were charged on an hourly basis. This got me thinking about the streaming speeds that were promised, or should I say, not promised. It was rather disconcerting to realize that there was no guarantee of the streaming speeds, despite the varying prices.

The WiFi is subject to certain limitations.

• Because of the limited availability of bandwidth, a number of airlines have implemented limitations on which websites passengers can visit using the onboard WiFi. The sites that are most commonly affected by these restrictions are those that require significant amounts of bandwidth, such as video streaming platforms.
• Due to the requirement of downloading flash software for each slots or casino game, online casinos often have high bandwidth demands. Consequently, certain airlines may block access to these websites.

Concerns regarding privacy and the protection of personal information

Conclusion

In this era of airline Wi-Fi, we find ourselves in the nascent stage of a promising development. As time progresses, we witness significant enhancements in technology and infrastructure, bringing about drastic improvements. It is quite likely that we will soon witness a transformation where high-speed, uninterrupted Wi-Fi becomes the standard feature on all flights.

In the event of such an occurrence, it is highly likely that casino gaming will emerge as a feasible form of entertainment during flights. Additionally, numerous airlines may consider incorporating onboard casinos into their entertainment offerings.

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