Like all industries, the gambling sector is always looking at new innovations to improve the experience and expand its customer base. Some of the latest technologies are already having an impact, while others are in their infancy.
Casino play and sports betting are hugely popular, producing significant revenue figures each year. In order to maintain interest, operators have to embrace new tech, so how are those innovations having an impact?
Recent Success Stories
Regular sportsbook and casino customers may take some established technologies for granted. Take a list by BonusFinder of major operators and all will have implemented some significant advances in recent years.
Included in this extensive list is live streaming. Customers of major sportsbooks now have access to many live events, including major sports such as football and horse racing. Terms of access vary, but in most cases, these can be viewed with a funded account.
Mobile optimisation is another important recent development. Before this technology was introduced, many popular casino games simply didn’t work on a mobile device. With improvements in smartphones and the games themselves, the experience now mirrors that of a desktop or static PC.
The Impact of AI
Artificial intelligence isn’t a new technology: It’s been around for a while, but recent advances have led to wider media coverage. Within the gambling industry, AI plays a role, but it’s expected that it will be more evident in the near future.
AI is used by online casinos to suggest new games. If you play certain titles, the software identifies your preferences and makes suggestions based on your gameplay. It’s similar to eCommerce sites that send details of new products, but artificial intelligence will be used in more ways.
Moving forward, game suggestions will be more accurate, while AI also has the potential to offer bespoke bonuses and promotions to individual players. It’s also said that the system will be able to identify any gambling issues sooner. Anyone who may need assistance with responsible gambling will be picked up more quickly than before.
Beyond Reality
The two most exciting areas of new technology involve Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. They are similar, but with some subtle differences. VR takes the player into a new setting, while AR augments a screen to enhance gameplay.
Virtual reality has been around for much longer, and it’s already being used in some areas of online casinos. It is destined to build on the success of live casino rooms which, until now, offer the closest experience to playing in the physical world.
The systems have the capability to take players right into the gaming rooms and to claim a seat at the table. They will be closer to the action on the roulette, poker and blackjack tables than ever before, and it’s an exciting prospect for all involved.
Expensive equipment has possibly held VR back in the past, but that could all change in 2025 and beyond. It’s more accessible to the average consumer and when more casino games are introduced, its impact will become evident.
While augmented reality works differently from AR, it can still have a purpose at online casinos. The technology could, for example, augment a player’s screen to show equipment at their disposal. Gaming chips and card decks can appear for that added touch of realism.
Both VR and AR have huge potential and should be more widely seen at online casinos over the coming 12 months.
Crypto Creeping Up
While cryptocurrency is used at many online gambling outlets, it has scope to make a greater impact. Many operators accept Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and others as a form of funding, while some are focused entirely on crypto.
While the options are in place, it’s fair to say that the average casino and sportsbook customer has yet to fully understand the concept of cryptocurrency. It remains a mystery to many, but there should be an increase in users as a younger demographic moves in.
Crypto is a useful tool in many ways: For those who use the Blockchain for funding, there is an extra level of security that keeps their sensitive information away from unwanted third parties. Transaction verification is a plus for the operator, while everyone benefits from the fast nature of those deposits and withdrawals.
While take-up is slowly increasing, cryptocurrency is already an important innovation in the gambling industry, and that importance will increase in the future.
In the months and years to come, all of the technologies mentioned here will increase their impact on the gambling industry. This is a competitive sector and all operators involved need to implement and build on innovations in order to stay ahead of their competitors.
Each of the technologies referenced here is already playing a significant role in the gambling sector. As things move forward, expect them all to have an even greater impact.
Leave a Reply