3 Biggest Developments for the Future of iGaming

The online gaming industry is one of the fastest to adapt to change. It can respond to trends early on in their cycle and can deliver concepts to its players quickly due to the nature of how online casino sites operate. So, it makes sense that during periods of change and upheaval for entertainment and gaming in general, it would be online casino who is often at the forefront. As such, this can help people anticipate what may become popular in the gaming industry. So, what are the three biggest developments that the iGaming industry will continue to lead with?

Virtual Reality Concepts
Often in technology, the ability to enhance existing concepts is a symbol of growth. Virtual reality technology is a prime example of this, which explains why some online casinos have begun adopting VR software for their games. Although not widely available, the beginnings of VR gameplay for some iGaming titles helps to show what the industry could look like in the years to come. Virtual reality poker, for instance, is already available and attempts to recreate the casino experience from home. This includes interacting with the casino patrons around you, the dealer, and the direct casino environment.

This may show the very basics of VR casino technology but could be further used in games that take place elsewhere. For example, Ancient Egypt, outer space, and underwater locations are common in slot games. VR technology in conjunction with this could offer something completely different that enhances the premise of these games.

However, the main issue with VR is that the current expenditure, for many, outweighs any benefits of engaging with the new technology, even with video gaming. Perhaps AR could be better suited, as a player’s direct environment is manipulated and combined with the game (as with Pokémon Go). As VR grows in regular gaming, it could then be adopted to a greater degree for online casinos.

Diversity and Inclusivity
A big issue across all sectors of gaming has been diversity both in games and behind the scenes. This means catering to audiences who might not have originally been thought of as a key market.  The benefit of online slots means that there are countless titles – with some sites offering more than 1,000 individual slot games. Across these games, there will be something to appeal to almost everyone. Increasingly, games are being more obviously targeted towards female gamers, such as the Bridesmaids slot game based on the hit 2011 film. A study identified that female gamers made up 40% of the gambling population, so it’s important that this is reflected not just in the gaming output, but behind the scenes of the games themselves.

That’s why it’s refreshing when games developers themselves are diverse and inclusive, which provides the games with a basis from which to draw on different people’s experiences. This helps make richer gaming experiences and, by doing something seldom done, provides refreshing and original content. For instance, G2 eSports’s hiring of Mei-Ling Rider as marketing director will help the growing sector within gaming to appeal to wider audiences. Having a more diverse behind-the-scenes team across all forms of gaming helps to guarantee experiences in the games reflect this.

Advanced Payment Methods
When looking for a site to play on, customers have many factors to consider. One of these, according to this list of the best online casinos, is related to the payment methods available. For example, sites make it clear if they accept e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller, credit cards, or Paysafecard. For some people, the payment method is integral to the experience and determines which site they choose.

As the ability to make these payments grows (thanks in part to the uptake of digital-first banking), the industry will be able to adopt more of them to appeal to greater swathes of customers.  However, the barrier here would be the transaction fees that are attached to some payment methods. Many newer financial methods come with heftier fees, which could dissuade people from using them.

One of the ways in which people tend to judge progress in the financial industry is how Bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency can be used. Some online casino developers already allow Bitcoin and cryptocurrency to be used to engage with the site. Bitcoin offers faster speeds than other payment methods, which makes it more appealing for some. However, progress for wider adoption of cryptocurrency is slow due to the initial expense and the ease of using traditional methods. But, for the cryptocurrency industry, being able to use it at online casinos helps to add legitimacy, which will, in turn, help its mainstream adoption.

The online casino industry is benefitting from the increased market share it has seen over the last decade to deliver to its players exactly what they want. For the games themselves, modern tech such as VR is being looked at to see how viable it would be across mainstream online casino games. For the culture, diversity and inclusivity are on the agenda to appeal to a wider audience and to deliver something unique. And, for the site mechanics themselves, advanced payment methods are being further legitimized for those who want to use them. Online casinos are often at the forefront of technology and their quick absorption of these latest developments shows exactly why they are.