It wasn’t too long ago that online casinos were considered little more than a side-show to the main event of brick-and-mortar venues. While digital variants of leading table games have been available online for over 30 years at this point, there were many factors that served to limit their reach and critical acclaim.
These range from restrictions imposed by the low dial-up internet speeds of the 90s internet, to the paltry processing power of yesterday’s computers that served to deprive gamers of high resolution visuals and graphics.
All of this started to change at the outset of the 21st century, a time that unsurprisingly coincided with the so-called poker boom – a crossover moment for online variants of the popular card game that validated digital platforms in the eyes of the public and of seasoned brick-and-mortar gamers alike.
A few short years after this event put the prospect of online gaming on the map, the smartphone – as we know it today – would arrive. While online casinos had somewhat of a slow start in adapting to the full implications of this new tech, when they did it would lead to profound changes across the industry.
Over the past 10 years, an estimated 2.5 billion people have joined those already ‘online’ – defined here as those regularly accessing the internet. The next 10 years is expected to bring a further billion online. This is a historical process, and one that has long been underway as the world becomes more connected and reliant on the internet for goods, services, information and education. Though the smartphone massively catalyzed this process.
That’s because it enabled people in remote or underdeveloped regions around the world to access the internet at low upfront cost, and through cellular networks. Suffice to say, the future of the internet is on the smartphone, and the online casino sector has been investing heavily in optimizing its products for mobile platforms in light of this. But what does the next ten years look like for the industry exactly? Suffice to say we can assume it will be tied to the fortunes of the smartphone, but what else can we infer from its current trajectory and growth?
More Variety Than Ever
In many ways the market differentiator of online gaming is its ability to cater to a wide range of people, all at once. From offering thousands of slot titles instead of dozens, to letting gamers compete in ad-hoc tournaments instantly and from anywhere in the world.
One of the most successful examples of this proliferation, and one we can reliably expect to gather momentum over the course of the 2020s, is that of casino bonuses and other welcome deals. While sign-up offers are nothing new per-se, the modern online casino sector has sought to provide gamers with an embarrassment of choice in this regard. In light of this, dedicated platforms like Bonuses.com have risen up to provide casino aficionados with hundreds of bespoke deals to suit individual requirements, whether you’re a baccarat player looking for a deal on free bets, or a high roller seeking value on premium slots.
This has been a big part of how the online casino market has outcompeted its physical rivals, by leaning in to this huge array of choice and cost-saving deals, and it is showing no sign of slowing in this respect.
Viva Las Metaverse
While recent excitement around AI has somewhat muddied the discourse around VR and the metaverse, it would be a mistake to assume that this was just a passing fad. So far, 2024 has been the greatest investment by big tech and indie developers alike into the VR format ever.
The real bottleneck, at present, is hardware. VR headsets are still costly, and are considered an inessential indulgence to the general public – but perceptions are beginning to shift. No small part of this is due to the launch of Apple’s own Vision Pro mixed reality headset which has done much to demonstrate to people how this technology can be used not only for play, but as a powerful next generation productivity tool.
Widespread adoption is likely several years away still, but the online casino sector has already been investing heavily in VR experiences and it’s easy to envisage how well a metaverse equivalent of the world’s leading casino districts – from Las Vegas to Macau, would go down among gaming fans.
Sports Gaming Is Continuing To Expand
The realm of sports betting is witnessing an unprecedented expansion, both in terms of the variety of sports covered and the types of wagering available. Traditional favorites like football, basketball, and horse racing are now joined by esports, drone racing, and even niche sports like cornhole. This diversification caters to a broader audience, ensuring that there's something for every type of sports enthusiast.
Moreover, the types of bets available are becoming more varied and complex, moving beyond simple win-lose outcomes to include in-game events, player performance metrics, and even fantasy sports team performances. This evolution is making sports betting more engaging and providing bettors with more strategies and options to consider, thereby enriching the overall experience.
Online Casinos Will Be Accessible On Smart Watches
Artificial intelligence is set to play a pivotal role in transforming online gambling into a more immersive and engaging experience. AI can personalize gaming experiences by analyzing player behavior and preferences, then adjusting game offerings and difficulty levels in real-time. This personalization ensures that players are more engaged and invested in the games they play.
Furthermore, AI is enhancing the realism of online casinos through the development of live dealer games, where players interact with AI-driven avatars that mimic human dealers. These avatars can engage in small talk, respond to player actions, and create a social gambling environment that replicates the feel of a land-based casino. Additionally, AI is being used to develop more sophisticated and fair random number generators (RNGs), ensuring that the outcome of games is as random and unbiased as possible.
AI-Enabled Gambling Experiences Will Make Gaming More Engaging
Artificial intelligence is set to play a pivotal role in transforming online gambling into a more immersive and engaging experience. AI can personalize gaming experiences by analyzing player behavior and preferences, then adjusting game offerings and difficulty levels in real-time. This personalization ensures that players are more engaged and invested in the games they play.
Furthermore, AI is enhancing the realism of online casinos through the development of live dealer games, where players interact with AI-driven avatars that mimic human dealers. These avatars can engage in small talk, respond to player actions, and create a social gambling environment that replicates the feel of a land-based casino. Additionally, AI is being used to develop more sophisticated and fair random number generators (RNGs), ensuring that the outcome of games is as random and unbiased as possible.
Stigmas Associated With Online Casinos Will Continue To Fade Away
Just a few years ago, the idea of gambling online was one that evoked images of shady mobsters operating servers from not-so-good parts of the world while gambling addicts poured their pockets out onto a virtual blackjack table. Today though, because of good regulation here in the United States as sports gaming spreads rapidly across the country - as well as other forms of online gaming that are regulated by The Gambling Commission of Great Britain or MGA / The Malta Gambling Authority or any one of the many other buerocracy who's objective it is to make online gaming safe and fair.
Additionally, while it becomes safer and more accessible - as a society gambling is simply becoming more and more part of gaming culture in general. For instance, "Loot Boxes" and online games where you can win real money have made the notion of online betting something that is easy, common, and rewarding.
