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Online Casino Trends to Follow in 2022

Published

3 years ago

February 1, 2022

Gaspar Incze

Image source: freepik.com

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The global online gambling industry is in a constant state of evolution and has been since it started gaining popularity in the late 1990s. In 1997 the number of online casinos grew to over 200. In that same year, the global annual revenue from online gambling reached USD$1 billion (€897 million).

In comparison, according to a report from Statista, in 2020, the global online gambling sector was valued at USD$66.7 billion (€59.3 billion). By next year (2023), it is predicted to reach USD$92.9 billion (€82.6 billion). Needless to say, the iGaming industry is a money-making machine and staying on top of the latest technological trends is what powers its popularity.

For 2022, several trends have been predicted. Online casinos in the UK and Europe will need to stay on top of these developments if they want to remain competitive. Some of these trends include:

Upgraded Security and Safer Gambling Practices

It’s no secret that Brits seek out the most trusted UK casinos to enjoy their favourite slots, table games and live dealer games. In this day and age, no company can be too careful when it comes to cybersecurity or providing players with a safe, reliable and responsible gambling environment.

Over the next year, maintaining legal compliance will continue to grow in importance. This includes stringent KYC (Know Your Customer) processes to prevent fraud, other criminal activity, and to protect minors. Responsible gambling efforts (self-exclusion, setting limits, etc.) will also play an important role. Other notable 2022 security trends include two-factor authentication, advanced login (e.g. facial recognition), and faster withdrawal times.

More Cryptocurrency

Decentralised gambling continues to increase within the industry, with many online platforms choosing to accept cryptocurrency as part of their payment services. Even some of the most known platforms that offer iGaming software solutions, like SkillOnNet and SOFTSWISS, offer Bitcoin and other crypto options to their online casino business partners.

Though traditional FIAT payments will remain the primary option at most of the UK’s and Europe’s biggest gambling sites in 2022, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others will start to dominate the industry, due to the security, anonymity and fast deposit/withdrawal speed they offer players. Not to mention, as NFTs and the Metaverse become more prominent, the demand for blockchain casinos will only grow.

VR and AR Gaming

Whilst several VR casinos currently exist, as the Metaverse evolves and immersive experiences become more desired and mainstream, there will be further push for VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality) and MR (mixed reality). Currently, online casinos that do offer VR experiences include not only games, but also more advanced technology like 3D-avatars, gesture imitation, and live interactions. As one might imagine, the digital poker experience could be entirely revolutionised by VR as it will more closely resemble the real thing.

That said, though these technologies are slowly gaining ground, it will still be a few more years before VR and AR tech in online casinos truly takes off. This is largely in part due to the cost of the headsets and other gear required for the experience.

Upgraded Gaming Experience

Younger generations are not interested in traditional slots and casino games. As such, software providers will need to rise to the challenge to create more interactive video game-style entertainment that combines gambling with social and with skill. Likewise, more online casinos will need to integrate incentivised gamification features to keep players interested and immersed in the experience. This may include challenges, tournaments, collecting points or the casino’s special currency, etc.

In addition to entertainment, as time goes on, players will demand an iGaming experience that is fast, smooth and seamless. This means faster registration or no registration process, instant and/or same day withdrawals, easy navigation and a responsive UI no matter the device.

Mobile and Wearable Tech

The latest in mobile gambling trends will be for online casinos to go above and beyond the basic requirements of simply having an app. Operators need to make it as easy as possible for new users to register an account, and include a module tech stack with their app to enable or disable features as is needed. Additionally, optimising discoverability will be important to provide users with quick access to relevant games.

Aside from smartphones, gambling on wearables, like smartwatches, will also grow in popularity. Creating an ideal experience for this device presents plenty of challenges due to the small and different shaped screen sizes as well as there being so many proprietary operating systems. However, game providers, like Playtech, have already seen the potential for the wearable gambling market and have started designing slots apps for Apple Watches.

The Rise of Online Casinos

Last but not least, beyond all the growing trends listed above, one thing is for certain, 2022 will see more casinos thrive on the internet compared to their land-based brothers. The future of gambling is definitely online.

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Springbok Casino’s Wild November Feature ‘Backyard Gangsters’ Offers 25 Free Spins on new Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion slot

Published

47 mins ago

November 2, 2024

Peter Tolan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Unravel the murder mystery and get 25 Free Spins on Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion, a feature-packed slot!

Springbok Casino’s November feature article introduces the “Backyard Gangsters” a playful look at the diverse animals that inhabit our gardens, highlighting their unique roles in maintaining ecological balance.

“Our backyards are teeming with life, and it’s fascinating to see how these cheeky animals each play a vital role in the ecosystem. From flashy sunbirds to silent assassin geckos, these creatures are portrayed as the true rulers of our garden turf, each contributing to the garden’s dynamic.” — Daniel Van Wyke, Springbok Casino Manager.

To celebrate these gang of wild characters, the leading South African online casino is offering all depositing players 25 free spins on the new RTG slot, Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion, until November 30th.

CLUE CHRONICLES: MIRROR MANSION – 25 FREE SPINS
Available to all players until November 30, 2024

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Coupon Code: BACKYARD

Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion is a new high-stakes murder mystery slot with a Reel Copy feature and a choice of up to four modes for its Free Games bonus round. When matching symbols stack on the first reel, the Reel Copy feature is triggered, mirroring the stacked symbols on up to four more reels, increasing chances of a killer payout!

BACKYARD GANGSTERS: THE SECRET RULERS OF YOUR GARDEN TURF

Tiny Titans: The Insect Underbosses maintain order in the garden with their clever strategies and ruthless efficiency. For instance, the “Bees: the Buzzing Businessmen” and the “Butterflies: the Glamorous Gangsters” ensure that plants and flowers are pollinated, keeping the garden lush and vibrant.

Feathered Mobsters: Birds that Rule the Backyard Skies are always on the hunt for territory and food to snatch. The vigilant Hadeda Ibis doesn’t just feast on worms and insects; its incessant squawking serves as a warning to any trespassers in its domain.

The Night Watchers: Nocturnal Gangsters features stealthy bushbabies expertly bouncing between trees, raiding your fruit with finesse, while owls silently stalk the night, watching and waiting for rodents and insects from their perches.

You’ll also find the diligent clean-up crew of ants and dung beetles, the undercover enforcers like ladybugs and assassin bugs, and the camouflaged tricksters such as snails and slugs!

Springbok Casino provides customer service in English and Afrikaans, offering hundreds of slots and table games from Spin Logic, all played in rands. Games are playable on mobile devices or on your desktop as download, instant.

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Play’n GO celebrates multiple win at 5 Star Media Awards

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, is today celebrating a five-award sweep in the coveted 5 Star Media Awards of 2024.

The legendary games studio nabbed a second consecutive Slot Supplier of the Year award, as well as being named the RNG Casino Supplier of the Year. The company also secured three of 5 Star Media’s “Top 20” Awards for co-founder and CMO Ebba Arnred, Director of Business Development Stuart Trigwell, and Head of Brand and Communication, Andrew Pink.

Play’n GO has enjoyed a landmark 2024, breaking new ground by entering the South African market, as well as expanding its US presence into what is now five states.

Ebba Arnred, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Play’n GO, commented “We’re always very pleased to have our work recognised at the various awards throughout the year, but to win five in one fell swoop is almost unprecedented. It’s very special to be awarded Slot Supplier of the Year for a second year in a row, and RNG Casino Supplier of the Year is another well-received feather in our cap. We would like to thank 5 Star Media and the entire judging panel, as well as our entire team here at Play’n GO, without whom these award wins simply wouldn’t happen. On a personal level, I’d also like to express gratitude for the individual recognition of a 5 Star “Top 20” Award.”

Stuart Trigwell, Director of Business Development at Play’n GO, added “I’d like to express a sincere thank you to 5 Star Media for being recognised in their “Top 20” Awards. We do our work not for individual accolades but for the success of the entire business, so it’s great to see Play’n GO so well represented across the board.”

Andrew Pink, Head of Brand and Communication at Play’n GO, said “Play’n GO’s driving ambition is to be the best entertainment supplier there is. Aside from producing some of the most played games and best loved characters in the world, that ambition is often realised by things largely unseen by those outside the company. It’s extremely gratifying for everyone at Play’n GO to be recognised as Slot Supplier of the Year. Next year may just be our biggest and best yet.”

eSports

Procedure to be followed by school clubs affiliating for the 2025 season

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA), founded in 1984, is the national federation for Board games, Card games, Esports, and Wargames.

MSSA promotes all the different disciplines equally, although each school may pick-and-choose which discipline it wishes to promote at its school. Some schools will promote the whole gambit, while others will concentrate on only one discipline, and/or even just concentrate on one specific title.

The choice is ultimately up to the school.

The various games offer unique opportunities to many South African learners. Many learners have been able to earn Regional, Provincial, and National Colours which have allowed them to earn bursaries and obtain first-class educations.

MSSA has sent teams with full Protea Colours to international events since 1991 for wargames, 1996 for Morabaraba, 1997 for Checkers, and 2005 for Esports. Many members of the national teams have been scholars, and all have benefited from their involvement in the national Protea Team.

With the above in mind the MSSA has streamlined the process for schools to affiliate to the MSSA.

There is still the option open for a school to start a full-blown sub-club on its premises, but bearing in mind the tight regulatory conditions under which accredited schools have to operate in the Republic, the MSSA no longer deems it necessary for a school to start a sub-club.

As long as the school club has the approval of the school, and has an Educator-in-Charge, a school may affiliate by merely completing the Application for Affiliation Form and submitting such to MSSA.

In order to affiliate, the completed Application for affiliation Form must be submitted to the MSSA.

Once the Board has approved a school’s affiliation, the school then needs to complete the Google Registration Page allocated to the school for the players and make payment.

All school members may participate in all events for which it qualifies. Such events include meetings, championships, courses, and so forth.

Advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club: There are many advantages of having a MSSA affiliated club, such as:

Being part of a community where your club has a real say in how things are done
Being able to apply for National Lottery Funding – MSSA member clubs can apply for up to R800,000.00 in funding
Being able to get assistance from your local government
Experience increased media exposure of your events and your gamers
Become part of the international community through the MSSA Registered players are able to become internationally recognised umpires, etc.
Enable your gamers to take part in MSSA events, which may qualify them for Regional, Provincial, and National colours, overseas trips, and even sports bursaries at university.

MSSA’s Constitution

The Constitution forms the foundation of the MSSA. It guarantees members rights and governs the way that the MSSA operates. It can only be amended by a two-thirds majority at a Council Meeting. Please remember that Associations only have two (2) votes each, whereas member clubs have a representational vote, being:

Private clubs: one vote per every five registered players, and
School clubs: one vote per every ten registered players.

MSSA’s General Regulations
The General Regulations comprises of decisions made by both Council and Executive Committee Meetings. The General Regulations deals with how sub-committees operate as well as to how teams are selected and development funding is distributed. Please refer to Schedule 10.12 in regard to the rights of clubs in hosting events.

MSSA’s Discipline Specific Regulations
The Discipline Specific Regulations deal with rules concerning the different disciplines. The Disciplines that the MSSA caters for are; Board Gaming, Card gaming, Esports, and Figure Gaming.

Application for Affiliation form
When a club applies for membership, the applicant club must complete such form and return the same to the MSSA.Fee note for 2025
The fee note details the Affiliation Fees and Registration fees that are payable.

Player Registration Form
The Player Registration Form needs to be completed by every player that is a member of a club and intends to participate in MSSA affairs.

MSSA’s Letter of Undertaking
The Letter of Undertaking is for all registered players who sit on any MSSA committee.