Most of us think of online casino gaming as a relatively new form of leisure activity. Yet the first online casinos appeared in the late 1990s, more than 20 years ago. Plenty has happened in the intervening years; the games we play and the platforms on which we play them are a world away from the rudimentary roulette wheels and poker rooms that seemed so cutting edge at the turn of the millennium.
With everything that’s happened in the wider world, online casino gaming has exploded in popularity over the past year or so. It’s a massively competitive market, and while most casinos offer a bonus or free spin deal to tempt new members, they are also turning to technology to provide a more realistic and engaging experience. Here are some of the areas in which tech is taking iGaming to whole new levels.
Live gaming
We usually associate technological advancement with increased automation, but live gaming turns that philosophy on its head. It does away with the random number generators for dealing virtual cards or simulating the spin of a roulette wheel and instead connects the player with a human deal in a studio. It’s a far more engaging experience, and you can even chat with the dealer or other players.
Mobile first
Around five years ago, casinos started to offer mobile versions of their games. These were typically simplified offerings, optimized for the technology of the time. Today, the watchword is mobile first. The capabilities of even cheap new generation handsets means they are more than able to cope with any type of game – and you can even stream live games to your handset for the ultimate gaming on the go experience.
AR and VR
Augmented and virtual reality are the talk of the town in gaming, with products like the Oculus Quest 2 flying off the shelves. But with more smartphones coming equipped with VR capability, VR casinos are also starting to appear on the scene. Walking into the lobby, sitting at the gaming table and having the cards dealt in VR makes an online casino experience more realistic than ever.
Blockchain and crypto
Bitcoin casinos are nothing new, and the first one launched way back in 2014. But today, blockchain technology provides more than just a convenient payment method. Transactions are faster, safer and negate the need for third parties to get involved, making them more cost effective for both the player and the provider. The very latest projects are seeing the launch of casinos that are entirely built within the blockchain infrastructure, and that even operate using their own tokens or altcoins.
One stop shops
A decade ago, online casinos and online sports books were each evolving on parallel paths. Today, it is common to see sports betting sites that offer casino games and vice versa. It means betting enthusiasts have a far wider choice of activities and do not have to open different account for gaming and sports betting.