Future trends in online casinos

Huynh NguyenJuly 14, 2022

The internet inarguably changed most facets of daily living. People use it to get information, trade and work. Even shopping and schooling are now digitized.

Entertainment also evolved along with the internet. Today, online gaming is one of the biggest global industries, and online gambling has experienced growth explosions since its humble birth in the mid-1990s.

The COVID-19 pandemic catapulted online casinos into an unparalleled virtual age of growth, which shows no signs of slowing now that the virus flames are waning. Gambling from the comfort of one’s own home holds great appeal and, like the industry itself, users are welcoming new technological advances with open arms.

Going back to the beginning

Legal red tape was and remains the nemesis of online casinos. The first digital gambling sites began operating out of countries such as Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean. These authorities had no objections to issuing licences to companies wishing to run online gambling sites.

Microgaming followed in the wake of fledgling online casinos and was the first to establish and revolutionize the online gambling industry. To this day, it is revered as one of the trusted online casino software providers.

Further major developments came with the establishment of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in 1996. A Mohawk Indian tribe in Canada owns and operates this authority and it issues gaming licences to online casinos.

There is much debate about which online casinos came first. Some say that InterCasino preceded Microgaming’s GamingClub. Whatever the case may be, by 1997 there were more than 200 online casinos, poker and sportsbook sites, and these generated revenues close to $1bn per year.

Modern-day online casinos feature astounding software and graphics. Live dealer table games, the best in slots, and all forms of sports betting are just a few clicks away. Through all the ups and downs, online casinos are legal and available to adults. Even the US is opening its doors to this industry.

Continuous development and growth

Technological advances affect life on multiple levels. The online gambling industry is a highly competitive, multi-billion-dollar industry that openly embraces new developments in a quest to remain current and ahead of the pack. Several recent movements directly impact this sphere.

Crypto online casinos

Blockchains, the pathways of cryptocurrency transactions, opened unexplored digital doorways into the way that business is conducted. The same holds for online gambling, and more and more crypto-based online casinos see the light.

These online casinos allow players to transact – make their deposits and withdrawals – using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. Because these transactions are anonymous and do not include the involvement of a third party, such as a bank, they protect the financial information of players.

Cryptocurrency transactions also occur in real-time. This means that deposits and withdrawals are immediate. It enhances convenient ways to pay and enjoy gambling while protecting the user.

Making experiences as real as possible

Notions of the metaverse filtered through to online gambling. It is anticipated that metaverse innovations will not only enhance graphics even more, but will also engage players through immersive experiences.

Software developers and online casino platform providers aim to improve visual and interactive engagements. Live dealer games already take players into lobbies where they can bet on real-time actions. Indications are that these experiences will only get better.

Going mobile

Advancements in mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, set the bar high for online casinos. Players want access to their favourite online casinos where and when they desire.

As such, mobile betting apps hugely impact the online casino industry and constitute a large part of its activity and revenue. It also promotes social gambling – where friends and families play together on gambling platforms.

Going mobile opened doors to new online gambling markets. It enables online casinos to reach those audiences who would never visit their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Reports show that younger and more diverse audiences prefer mobile to desktop devices. As with desktop sites, mobile-based apps also strive to continuously better visual quality enhancements to give players the best possible experiences.

Tapping into smartwatches

In recent years, smartwatches have became prevalent in most societies. Apart from measuring health-related activities such as sleep and walking patterns, they also pose new possibilities for online casinos.

The smartwatch market is a multi-million-dollar industry and its possibilities prompted some online gambling companies to make their services available through this channel. These frontrunners include prominent names such as Playtech and Microgaming. They envision that smartwatch online casinos will make things even more convenient and readily accessible for players.

Esports

Betting on esports – video gaming competitions – has evolved into a lucrative market with millions of followers and fans. It was initially seen as a niche market but has since grown into one of online gambling’s biggest attractions.

Online casinos are actively exploring the potential of esports and betting on games such as League of Legends, Fortnite and Valorant. The industry is sure to incorporate the rapidly developing advances in virtual and augmented reality technologies in its esports betting offerings.

Merging virtual and real experiences

Experts believe that the gaining traction of virtual reality (VR) technology and the possibilities posed by a metaverse will launch a new age in online gambling. As difficult as it is to imagine online casino regulation in a metaverse, innovators continue to explore crossing these bridges and giving online gamblers real-time and immersive experiences.

A borderless world with no government influence will truly give free rein to the online gambling industry and optimize the use of blockchain technologies. These advances go hand in hand with VR developments.

To date, few online casinos have tapped into this new avenue of doing things. More and more developers and site owners are, however, looking at the possibilities that VR holds for online gambling. Through VR devices, players will be able to wander through lobbies and interact with other players around tables.

Prominent industry names such as Microgaming and NetEnt are starting to provide VR-based online casino games. Some are also exploring the use of AI for enhanced security and experiences.

Technological developments change the shape of everything and the possibilities for online gambling are endless.

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