Definitely similarities and it really depends on how you play. But I can makes 10-20$ last me a month where at a casino is probably be out of money in and hour. Your always getting something back when you spend your money cause your minimum gaining skills and there is no skill cap. Also do you goto a casino, make a pile of friends trade blue chips for white chips. It's really not the same feeling as a casino to me, there is a lot more substance.
Honestly I think casinos should model than selves after Entropia. Give people missions goals and objectives that you can reach when though you lose money attaining them.