The online casino industry has always welcomed the latest technologies with open arms. The industry’s popularity has saturated the market, with new online casinos forming monthly. The industry is pushing these online casinos to be more innovative and adopt new technologies to gain an advantage over others.
The core gaming experience isn’t as different as a land-based casino, but technological advancements have made the iGaming industry preferable for gamblers. So, here is a breakdown of the most popular trends and technologies of the online casino industry in 2022:
1. Live Casino Games
In the initial stages of the formation of online casinos, the real-life thrill was a major missing aspect. In the start, that missing thrill was what drove customers away. Live dealers were replaced with AI-integrated dealers.
We all prefer real human interaction when dealing with cards, so this development didn’t sit right with customers. Since players’ desires are the number one priority, the online casino industry invented live casinos.
This further blurred the lines between online and in-house gambling. With 5G and HD streaming, players get the same environment as in a land-based casino. Players can play all live games like baccarat, poker, or blackjack with others.
2. Licensing And Security
If you want a US casino to play online, you will have to check if it’s secure or not. The best way to do that is by checking if the online casino has a legit license. No matter which state you live in, an online casino’s selection should depend on its security and licensing.
Unlicensed online casinos can steal players’ deposited money and are prone to scams and hacks. Whichever casino site you explore, do check their licensing information. It is usually present on the homepage of the site.
Also, check what technologies they use to keep player information secured. For example, top-tier online casinos are SSL-encrypted. This keeps financial transactions and sensitive information safe and secure.
3. Advanced Payment Methods
Let’s talk about cryptocurrency first. Crypto has gained popularity over the years, and multiple online casinos have recognized its potential and benefits. Crypto gives players the anonymity they want for their transactions.
Using blockchain is way more secure and fast, with lower fees than typical banking methods. So, the big names in the online casino industry have integrated cryptocurrency into their payment options, making their services broader and more appealing to customers.
Players can use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and other coins for transactions. Gamblers can deposit larger sums of money than they could with their debit or credit card. Other than cryptocurrency, casino sites also offer e-wallets (like Neteller) and credit/debit options to players.
4. Huge Promotional Offers And Bonuses
The online casino industry is highly competitive. This has led to the trend of casinos giving huge bonuses and promotions to players. One of the most common bonuses you will find that every casino site gives out is the welcome bonus.
As soon as a new player registers with the casino site, they receive a welcome bonus. Other bonuses include deposit and no deposit bonus. The deposit bonus depends on the amount of money you deposit to your account, which is then multiplied by a specific number or percentage of the bonus.
For the no deposit bonus, the players receive the bonus soon after signing up. But, a few terms and conditions are attached to both of these bonus types. So, make sure you read them carefully before signing up.
In contrast, promotional offers provide different ways to attract players and keep them hooked on games. For example, loyalty programs and VIP programs. They require gamblers to play daily to gain points and increase their chances of making money.
5. Mobile Gaming
It is not a shocker that more than 80% of the world’s population has a smartphone. Mobile compatibility of sites has become an integral component of every viable business framework. Most casino site operators have adopted the mobile-first mentality to give players the ease of gambling right from their smartphones.
Many games are now mobile-compatible, allowing casino operators to tap into regions where smart devices like laptops and computers aren’t readily available. That’s a win-win strategy for the online casino industry and players.
6. Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality headsets have been a promising and profitable technology for the iGaming industry. As a player, you can easily find quality devices from numerous headset manufacturers. Casino game developers have started developing content that can be utilized with VR headsets.
For instance, NetEnt has developed a VR version of their slot game Jack and the Beanstalk. Other developers will soon follow the same trend. VR offers a deeply immersive gameplay experience that casino operators want to deliver to their players.
Imagine playing live casino games with other players in an immersive, reality-like room. That’s exactly what both casino operators and players want.