The online gambling industry is nearing its three-decade milestone, and things have drastically changed in this sector since it got birthed in the mid-1990s. In its inception, the game catalogs at interactive gaming hubs consisted only of rudimentary reel-spinners and crude RNG-powered table games, with operators scarcely giving out bonuses to players. However, now, the online gambling landscape is substantially different from where it was in the early-2010s. That is mainly because multiple technological innovations have sprung up and gone mainstream in the past twelve years, getting adopted by this sphere.
Not only that, but as things now develop on the tech side of things, the online gambling sphere can keep pace with them due to consumer hardware reaching a level where it can meet the demands of novel technology. Smartphones and desktop devices no longer only make people’s lives easier. They also seek to make them more fun. Hence, per most analyst projections, increasing acceptance of trending technologies will help this sector grow by an annual rate of 11.5% per year. Below, a quick rundown follows regarding several relatively recent game-changers that have impacted how people play games of chance over the internet.
Presenter Games
In 2017, Evolution Gaming, the live dealer product king, decided to innovate by creating a new gambling genre, game show-like titles. Its venture in this category began with DreamCatcher, a version of the famous wheel game, the Big Six. It followed it up with a sequel called Monopoly Live two years later. Nevertheless, things kicked into high gear when at the ICE 2020 expo, Evolution announced a breakthrough product for the online gambling sector, Crazy Time. Based on DreamCatcher, Crazy Time implemented four action-packed bonus games and incorporated RNG-fueled gameplay. Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, released in 2021, revolutionized the game show concept by fusing it with one of the most popular slots of all time, Gonzo’s Quest. It now ranks as the most immersive online gaming experience, a far cry from real money casinos that allow players to bet from an app.
Metaverse Casinos
Metaverses are 3D virtual shared spaces that have become the talk of the town even before Facebook, now called Meta, announced that it would launch its metaverse sometime soon. The best way to describe these platforms to those unfamiliar with them is as open world-like games, such as those in the GTA or Elder Scroll series. They feature vast maps that users can traverse, exploring the structures others have built and engaging in monetary transactions inside them. In April 2021, video game pioneer Atari opened a virtual casino in the Decentraland metaverse, ushering in a new era in internet gaming. Several gambling establishments are running in Decentraland, offering traditional and unique gaming picks. The most famous of these venues is the Japanese-themed Tominoya casino.
VR Gaming
VR gaming was going to set the world ablaze in 2016. Unfortunately, that did not quite happen, even though the online gambling industry was getting ready for this occurrence by starting to develop VR games. Microgaming created a virtual reality version of roulette that never hit gambling sites, and multiple VR slot attempts got made. After a few years of VR silence, this technology is again trying to break through into internet games of chance. Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt became the first live casino game to offer a VR mode, and NetEnt, its original creator, will soon release a VR variation of the Gonzo Quest slot. Playtech is also looking to branch off into this new industry sector. It first did so with its 2019 Hot Gems title.
Wearable Casinos
While many believed that wearable devices were a fad that would quickly pass, that proved a fallacy. The growing popularity of connected devices and the Internet of things will likely contribute to a surge in demand for wearable technology in the coming years. Per a report from Grand View Research, the global wearable tech market had a value of $40 billion in 2020, and it should grow at an annual rate of 13.8% until 2028. Online casino operators have noticed that this fad is here to stay, and many have moved to make their platforms’ smartwatch compatible.
Skill-Based & Skins Gambling
In 2015 and 2016, Nevada’s and New Jersey’s bodies that oversee gaming activities in these states passed new regulations allowing land-based casinos to offer games with a skill element. In other words, titles where expertise plays a role in gambling outcomes. Online operators have also dove into this realm by hosting shooters where accuracy can lower said products’ return-to-player percentages. Examples include Fish Catch by RTG and Betsoft’s Max Quest series. Also, skins-based gambling is another thing that has recently taken off at crypto-gambling sites, the option for gamblers to bet using digital in-game items.
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