Technology started shaping the gambling industry decades ago. First, slot machines were created where players could win based on the random generation of symbols and numbers. These tech machines hooked many players who could not believe how accessible gambling had become. Then came the internet, which allowed casinos such as 1xbet casino to take gambling to the online space. And all of a sudden, people could gamble from cyber cafés easily, and even those with little experience with gambling could now see what the fuss was all about. Back then, gamblers could not have thought that the gambling scene could get any better. But it did, and there are several trends set to shape the future of this thriving industry in the decades to come. What are they?
1. Mobile gaming
Mobile gaming has caught on in the last decade or so. After all, the population of people using mobile phones has grown as the variety of devices has increased, and the price point has decreased. Mobile phones are great for gambling as they offer some perks that laptops and other devices cannot. They are:
- Portable – it’s easy to game on the go when the machine you need weighs less than half a pound and fits into your pocket,
- Almost indispensable – most people use mobile phones to carry out work, school, and social activities. So, adding gambling to the list of things to do feels natural, and
- Affordable – more companies now produce phones at low prices, allowing more people to get in on this new trend.
The icing on the cake is the mobile compatibility on most betting and gambling sites, which was not the case decades ago. So, accessing reputable online casinos via web or app has become possible, eliminating the need for players to spend hours on their laptops. Some casinos are now available, even on gaming consoles!
2. Virtual reality
When online games started, they won on all fronts, save for one – socialization. Many players argued that playing in online casinos was not as social as in actual casinos. And for years, gaming providers were at a loss on how they could replicate a similar environment. They finally found the answer – virtual reality! Thanks to this technology, and a touch of augmented reality, players can immerse themselves in the gameplay as if they were in a physical casino. They take on avatars that can interact with other avatars in the virtual world. So, a European player can play a table game against players in Australia, the USA, South Africa, or any other region in the world! And they do not need to leave their home to do so.
3. Digital currencies
Another pain point that online casino providers had to navigate was the need for cashless payments. In actual casinos, players can walk in with cash and get their chips which they can use to start playing. But online casinos could not afford players such convenience and required them to wire their deposits or use cards for payment. This feature turned off some eager players unwilling to divulge such sensitive information to casinos. Eventually, more sites started accepting e-wallets which served as a bridge between the casinos and the players’ banks. But while this was sufficient for a while, players soon started looking into the use of digital currencies, as these were:
- Anonymous – players did not need to include their financial details and could instead send and withdraw money to their crypto wallets without anyone looking over their shoulders,
- Fast – players did not need to wait days or weeks for transactions to clear and could instead access the results within minutes, and
- Cheap – most sites do not charge fees on digital currencies, and those that do charge only a small percentage.
4. Blockchain technology
So, more sites have embraced digital currencies, which has paved the way for more players to gamble online. Besides digital currencies, the uptake of blockchain technology has also served another role in the gambling industry – transparency! Often, players are not sure if the games are fair, despite playing on licensed and reputable sites. But with this technology, they can look into the transactions and assess if the games have been tampered with at any point. It is quite hard for a casino to cover up such tweaks, making it easier for players to trust upcoming and existing sites.
5. Live gaming
Another trend that will continue shaping the future is live gaming. When players in actual casinos engage in casino games, they enjoy the live aspects of the games. They can interact with the dealer, follow each move, and take their time with their gameplay. And more players have been adamant about getting the same experience online. Luckily, many sites have heeded this recommendation and now offer live games where players can engage with others and the dealer. So, if a player wants an all-rounded game instead of the fast games, they can always play live. Add some virtual reality and some homemade snacks, and the game is almost as real as that in the actual casino!
Most of these gaming trends are still in the introductory stages. But in the next decade or so, they will be in full effect, allowing players to enjoy immersive gaming experiences wherever they are!