Online Casino Industry Trends and Growth 2020/21

The online gambling industry has grown beyond the limits of our imagination, thanks to the internet and advancement in technology. Europe’s online gaming has particularly undergone exponential growth with many countries emerging as important online-gambling markets, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, among others. Looking at new casinos the trend points upwards as well during 2020 and 2021 estimates as well. One of these launches is the casino operator Winny that been rumoured to go live go live for a couple of month now.

According to the European Betting & Gaming Association (EBGA), technological innovations have made it possible for European consumers to access e-gaming sites anytime, anywhere. The betting association also reported that Europe’s online gambling industry has an annual growth rate of 10%. In 2018, the gross gaming revenue of the continent’s online industry was EUR22 billion, and the market value is expected to reach EUR29.3 billion in 2022.

Reasons for the Rapid Growth in EU Online Gambling Market

One of the reasons why the European casino and gambling industry is gaining ground at a high rate is because the continent is home to some of the strictest licensing bodies in the global betting and gambling sector. Together with EBGA, The Malta Gaming Authority and The UK Gambling Commission operate transparently, issuing licensure only to reputable and well-established gambling sites. That instils confidence among gaming buffs when placing their bets on these websites.

The creation of mobile-first gambling websites is another reason for the growth of EU online gambling. In 2018, virtually half of all casino bets (43%) were placed through mobile devices. A country like Finland, for instance, recorded a 10% growth in mobile gaming in 2018 – evidence that mobile play is bringing in significant revenue to the European market.

Online Gambling Trends in the EU 2020/2021

Currently, most online gaming enthusiasts prefer placing their bets through their smart mobile devices to land-based gambling destinations, such as casinos and bookmakers. Below are some patterns you can expect to see in the EU sector in 2021.

Game Plan Enhancements

With gambling websites aiming to tap into mobile gaming, the need to create pixel-perfect, HD games for smartphones has become more critical than ever. This trend has expanded drastically in recent years. Consumers can access the same game quality through gaming apps as they would when they visit a casino website.

Furthermore, it has also led to live betting, where bettors can play against and alongside other players online. That compels gambling providers to enhance the game plans to offer an improved UX. For instance, live poker provides players with an opportunity to sit around a table with a live dealer and players with real-time chats and feeds.

The UK Leading the Sector

The online gaming market in the UK is provided by private providers and takes place within a highly competitive business environment. The UK Gambling Commission, formed by the Gambling Act 2005, offers strict gambling rules and regulations to ensure that online bettors and gamblers feel secure when wagering their money on these sites. According to a statistical report captured on Mordor Intelligence, 6% of consumers aged between 25-34 and 45-54 years visited an online gaming site at least once every 90 days, accessing casino games, online poker, bingo, sports betting, and lotteries. Some of the key providers in the UK expected to lead the market include 888 Holdings, Bet365, LeoVegas, and Casumo Casino.

Enhanced Reality Casinos

Augmented Reality (AR) is a relatively newer technology in the online gaming world. This innovation expands the physical world on your gaming screens with superimposed digital elements, creating the impression that one is actually gaming in real-world. The technology took off this year and is expected to gain more popularity in 2021. With the online gambling market being highly receptive of new technologies, AR is expected to offer players a 3D, 360-degree gaming experience without the need to differentiate between the physical and digital world.