Gambling has become a major economic contributor worldwide, with its market value exceeding $540 billion. As the industry’s landscape continues to grow and shift, new technologies emerge that positively impact players’ experience and satisfaction. Even though there are more than just 5 technologies in the gambling industry, we’ll focus on what we believe to be the most important developments that have changed the way in which people gamble.
Here are the top 5 technologies in the gambling industry:
1. Virtual and Augmented Realities
If there ever was a tool that could successfully bridge the gap between land-based and online casinos, it would be this one. Many of the world’s casinos have gone down the route of AR and VR, offering entire website sections that let players immerse themselves in the gaming environment.
Moreover, live streaming and live statistics for game proceedings are made possible due to VR and AR. By playing a live game on their phones or desktop computers, players get a taste of what a physical gaming ambiance looks like. In fact, these technologies in the gambling industry are doing such a good job that they threaten to significantly reduce the number of patrons in land-based casinos.
Live streaming is played out in real-time, building tension and excitement and taking inconvenience out of the equation, as players won’t have to pack up and head to the nearest land-based casino.
2. Diverse Payment Solutions
In the past, it was a given that you would use your credit or debit card when playing at online casinos. However, due to incredible technological advancements in the payment ecosystem, and their integration into the technologies in the gambling industry, the best paying sites let you play by using PayPal, Apple Pay, and PaySafeCard—to name a few. Some other payment solutions available at online casinos include:
- Neteller
- Skrill
- ecoPayz
- Google Pay
- Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency has garnered particular interest. Digital currency is no longer the money of the future, as it has become well-integrated into the gambling industry. These blockchain-based currencies allow decentralized and secure payment processing, with a great level of anonymity. Therefore, they have resulted in the creation of crypto casinos where you will be able to make deposits and withdrawals by using many different currencies.
Crypto gambling caters to players who love a different type of gambling. Regular gaming sessions entail betting against the casino house, while crypto gambling involves wagering against other people with the same or similar amounts of money. One isn’t inherently better than the other, as they are different variations of the same game.
3. Predictive AI
It’s no secret that artificial intelligence has transformed nearly every segment of life as we know it. Thus, AI can help you transform your academic journey, improve your cybersecurity, and sit behind the wheel of a self-driving car. Thus, it comes as no surprise that artificial intelligence can completely change a player’s gaming sessions.
The best online casinos rely on predictive AI to gain valuable insights into their customers’ behavior and preferences. The data gathered this way allows for a personalized gambling experience that every player appreciates.
Let’s say that predictive AI is installed in a casino’s slot machines. One way in which it can impact a player’s satisfaction is by first showing them the games they might be interested in. The machine analyses previous interactions between the player and the games, which is how it’s able to draw conclusions on the themes and RTPs an individual is most likely to choose.
Apart from a highly personalized gaming experience, predictive AI can also detect long-term customers, anticipate spending patterns, and recognize those who are at risk of problem gambling. This puts both casinos and players at an advantage, as casino operators can prevent potential gambling addicts from creating a huge problem.
4. Gamification
Gamification is quickly becoming a trend among Canada’s online casinos. Considering the fact it encourages engagement with players and enhances their overall experience, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the main technologies in the gambling industry as we know it.
Through gamification, online casinos are able to add certain elements to the game. This includes programs, challenges, and leaderboards, as well as some other features that are common in land-based casinos. The integration of these game mechanics turns every session into more than just a gamble, as it provides a realistic experience that’s authentic to old-school casinos.
While gamification has a wonderful effect on players and their returns, it has just as good of an impact on casino operators. Gamification tools build a loyal community that consists of returning players who keep coming to your site to place bets. An online casino will give its users a visible goal to achieve which, once they succeed, motivates them to keep playing more. Thus, the house ends on the winning side—just like it does most of the time.
5. Mobile Apps
Technologies in the gambling industry have never been as simple and convenient as they are today, and the community has mobile apps to thank for that. To start off, almost all online casinos have websites that work well on mobile devices.
Most people use their smartphones to browse the Internet when stuck in traffic or during their lunch break, so it’s essential for every website to be optimized for mobile users.
However, a huge number of online casinos went one step further by creating dedicated mobile apps.
With a mobile app, a player only needs to create an account and input a legal phone number to fund his/her account and add it to the bill. After that, he/she will be able to make easy and straightforward deposits and withdrawals. Not only does this eliminate lengthy trips to land-based casinos, but it also results in gaming sessions that can be played anytime, anywhere.
This convenience has resulted in a surge in interest in online gambling, which didn’t go unnoticed by casino operators. Thus, some of them invested in special mobile-compliant games that resulted in easy wagering, greater convenience, and improved customer satisfaction. Combine all of those factors together and you get the perfect scenario for players to return to a website time and time again.
The Bottom Line
Due to the technologies in the gambling industry, players can now enjoy casino games no matter the time and location. Likewise, they are no longer limited to a few spins on a basic slot machine, as they can immerse in live gaming sessions of poker, blackjack, or roulette whenever they feel like they need some entertainment.
However, such easy access to casino games has resulted in perfect grounds for developing a gambling addiction. All individuals who gamble regularly should take every measure of precaution to ensure they don’t encounter a gambling problem. This includes placing restrictive measures, such as time and money limits. Ultimately, you shouldn’t be afraid of taking a radical step and using the self-exclusion option if the situation escalates. You will automatically be prevented from accessing games on the casino’s website.