Whether you’re an online gamer, own an online casino, or are simply interested in the online gaming world, it can’t hurt to better understand the trends shaping this unique industry. It may come as no surprise to you that the advancements in technology change consumers’ opportunities and expectations. This is true throughout all industries, including the online gaming industry. Below are just a few trends to look out for in the coming years.
Improved Mobile Platforms
According to recent stats, users spend on average 69 percent of their media time on smartphones, 50 percent of the time individuals spend on digital media is on their mobile devices, and approximately 80 percent of all global internet traffic comes from mobile devices. What this means is that companies in all sectors have shifted to mobile design and layouts. Popular websites, such as Cashino have already made the shift and in the coming months, you can expect many of your favorite online games to follow suit and be available across all desktop, laptop, cellular, and tablet devices.
Introduction of Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is no longer just for video games. As the price of VR kits and consoles nose dive into the cheap territory, they are beginning to pop up in more and more homes. Online casinos are taking advantage of the mainstreaming of this once luxury concept and are modifying their games so that players can actually feel as if they are inside the game. This type of immersion allows individuals who either have never played in an actual casino or who prefer reality over virtual to feel as if they are actually in a casino. It also gives gamers an opportunity to interact with one another and, if they so choose, to bet against one another.
Gaming Goes Live
Live gaming does virtual reality one better and allows players to actually see one another. Twitch, an online gaming platform, makes it possible for gamers to stream footage of themselves playing and to view others from around the world. The site gained traction within the traditional gaming sector but has since caught the attention of online gamblers. Over the past few years, live dealers at actual casino tables have begun to record themselves so that individuals from around the globe take a virtual seat to play a hand or two.
Heightened Security
The semi-recent Facebook scandal sent a clear message to online consumers and hosts everywhere—no one is safe from online harms, and no one is immune from accountability. As a result, consumers have demanded more in terms of cyber security and data privacy, and companies—at least, those who wish to keep their clientele—have listened. Online casinos themselves are doing their best to maintain a transparent privacy policy while regulatory bodies are continuously striving to come up with newer and stricter rules. As new regulations emerge, software providers are forced to find new ways to adapt to them without losing their hold on innovation and creativity.
Rise of Cryptocurrencies
If you’re like most people, you assumed that cryptocurrencies were the stuff of Hollywood films such as Ready Player One, but you’d be wrong. In the world of online trade and gaming, cryptocurrencies are thriving. However, Bitcoins are no longer the top dollar. Today, people trade Litecoin, Ripple, Dash, Dogecoin, and Ethereum, just to name a few. Cryptocurrencies expand the number of games individuals have access to, as now gamblers are no longer limited to online casinos that accept only the American dollar, Euros, or some other type of global currency.
If you have a stake in online gambling, it’s worth your while to stay up to date with the latest trends. Improved mobile platforms, virtual reality, live gaming, heightened security, and the rise of cryptocurrencies are just five trends worth making note of.
