Try to remember: do you know anyone today who doesn’t have a smartphone? From toddlers to the elderly, everybody has a smartphone these days. Unsurprisingly, the mobile gambling market is set to grow steeply until the end of this decade. Previous years have proved that the mobile phone has become the number one device for members to access the casino platforms of their choice. Is it a sign of transformation within this industry?
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A New Year, A New Round
The online gambling industry knows no crisis. It’s one of the few industries that hasn’t stopped growing in the past couple of years. However, it’s an industry that relies on constant innovation to keep bringing in new players. So, every new technology is quickly adapted for gaming purposes, in a never-ending competition between developers for market dominance. Here’s what to expect from online casinos this year.
Mobile Gaming
Thanks to widespread smartphone ownership, and the expansion of 4G and 5G networks, it’s possible to play casino games on mobile devices. It’s even possible to play live casino games from a phone or tablet, provided the internet is stable enough for the task. Nowadays, over 80% of the world’s population owns a smartphone, creating a vast market for mobile-oriented games.
Wearable Gaming
Wearable devices, like VR, AR, and smartwatches, will be integrated into the gaming experience. Such integration will create a more vivid experience for online gamblers, with realistic sounds and graphics. The competition in gaming gadgets also drives the prices down, attracting more buyers. The popularisation of these gadgets motivates developers to include them in their next games.
More Live Games
Realism is gold in the online gaming world. In casino terms, nothing gets more realistic than a live dealer game. Not every casino supports live dealer rooms, as they require complex technology. Yet, the number of live dealer rooms is rising because the demand keeps doing the same. Even online casinos that can’t maintain their live rooms outsource this service from other developers so that they cater to this market.
Betting on eSports
eSports competitions are more professional than ever before. There are tournaments with hundreds of thousands of dollars in the prize pool. Also, heavyweight sponsors like Red Bull, Microsoft, and others are giving even more popularity to these events. More importantly, these competitions are getting much better media coverage now. So, it’s easier to bet on them and even place live bets. So, those who love betting sports will have one more exciting option on the menu.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are no longer seen with suspicion by online casinos. Indeed, crypto payments are rising in popularity. Some new platforms are exclusively dedicated to crypto gamblers, and traditional ones adapt to the latest trend. The conditions for deposits and withdrawals may vary from one casino to another. While some casinos impose limits for this kind of transaction, others don’t.
Blockchain
Blockchain is also ushering in a new era in online gambling. The technology is mainly known for hosting a pretty loud tenant: Bitcoin. Yet, it has many other applications than storing cryptocurrencies. It’s a public ledger that is completely transparent and eliminates intermediaries. It also speeds up authentication processes. There are already “decentralised casinos,” which are blockchain-based and managed by their users.
More Consoles
Online casino games for consoles aren’t new. It’s possible to find social casinos (those that are played for free) and online casinos for real money. Consoles offer different gameplay and more natural integration with VR glasses. So, consoles can be the way forward for the so-called “virtual casinos.”
The Game Is On
Last year, its market size reached USD 70.02, and it’s expected to grow more than 10% per year until 2030. It means more players online and more online casinos fighting for their slice of the pie. Players invariably benefit from the competition between developers. Such competition fuels the constant innovation of this niche.
