How Modern Technology Influences the iGaming Revolution
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Let’s face it, technology nowadays is completely different to how it was 20 years ago. Even 5 years ago. And the thing is, so much of our lives now depends on technology. Whether it’s work, banking, education, listening to music, streaming a movie – even gaming. In fact, few other industries have seen a change quite like the gaming industry, more specifically the iGaming industry. But we’ll get into that shortly.
With advancements in technology and exciting new innovations, the gaming world has gone through heaps of changes over the years – from Arcade Games to the development of electronic games, mobile games to VR. The gaming world has evolved beyond our wildest dreams. Here, we will be focusing primarily on how advancements in technology have influenced the iGaming industry, and the profound impact it has on iGaming as a whole. But first, let’s find out what iGaming actually is.
What is iGaming?
What is iGaming, you ask? Otherwise known as online gambling, iGaming (or internet gaming) has become more and more popular within the past few years. The rise in technological advances, as well as the internet, has a huge part to play in this increase in popularity. For instance, players can now enjoy the thrill of betting from the comfort of their own home. The evolution of casino technologies has made it so that the excitement of an actual casino is now accessible to everyone – well, those of age with access to an internet connection, at least. Casino technologies have made it easier than ever for players to find their favourite online pokies, join live dealer games from their front room, and interact with the highly professional croupiers and other players. This means that casinos have also been able to reach a wider audience – so it’s no surprise that iGaming is the fastest growing gambling segment. In 2022, the iGaming market in Australia was valued at almost $7 billions Australian dollars.
The history of iGaming
- 1994 – the Free Trade & Processing Zone Act was passed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, thus allowing licences to be issued to companies launching an online casino
- 1995 – Windows 95 was launched by Microsoft – with people all over the world purchasing PCs and connecting to the internet
- 1996 – the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) was born. The role of the KGC was to license online casinos. At this time, there were only 15 online gambling sites – within a year, it had grown to 200
- 1998 – Planet Poker introduced poker games to the iGaming scene, being the first company to offer poker online. Competitors soon jumped on the bandwagon and surpassed Planet Poker’s success
- 2000 – the launch of Betfair, a UK based gambling company, made a significant impact on the iGaming industry with their invention of peer-to-peer wagering.
- 2002 – live betting was first introduced which allowed people to place bets on sporting events in real-time
Fast forward twenty years and look how far the casino and gaming industry has come. And it seems there’s no stopping its trajectory. Thousands of casino games are available at our fingertips, with mobile gaming technology thought to be one of the biggest industry drivers behind the success of the casino gaming industry.
The advance of casino technologies and appearances
The casino and gaming industry has come on heaps since those early days of dodgy graphics and bodgie games that would take an age to load. These days, thanks to speedy internet and modern software, players all over the world can enjoy a smooth gaming experience. If you partook in iGaming back in the day, then you’d no doubt remember their questionable graphics (that probably looked pretty awesome at the time), when an iGaming casino was a fresh concept, and everyone was still excited about the arrival of the internet. Since then, graphics in online casino games have had a serious glow up.
Developers now have the ability to design and build games that replicate the real deal, like slots and roulette wheels, blackjack games, baccarat and poker, for example. All thanks to modern casino technology. An iGaming casino in 2023 can now be made up of 3D graphics and high-resolution textures, beautifully bright colours and eye-catching moving visuals that run seamlessly without any lag. The graphics alone can, and do, enhance any players gaming experience, as they make them more immersive than they have ever been able to in the past. Don’t fancy travelling to a casino? Well, there’s really no need to. Honestly, nowadays an iGaming casino can look just as good as the real thing.
How technology has revolutionised the iGaming industry
The evolution of technology has not only impacted the types of online casino games available on the market, but also the way in which people are playing them. It used to be that players could only access their favourite games if they had a PC. Now, the advance of smartphone technology means that players are able to play online casino games on the go. Whether they’re playing pokies as part of their daily commute on the train, standing in line at the coffee shop, or watching the roulette wheel spin whilst they’re chilling in the bath. Mobile gaming is bigger than ever, and the casino and gaming industry clocked onto this. In Australia, almost 60% of online gambling is done from a mobile device.
Casino technologies now allow for swift payments over a smartphone or tablet, meaning people can make withdrawals and deposits at a simple click of a button. And the convenience of it all only fuels an Aussie’s love for a wager. Gambling from a device has proven to be the most suited to an Aussie’s lifestyle, as it is undoubtedly the most popular method for online gambling, across the country. With many online casinos and gaming sites also now having downloadable apps available for both iOS and Android users – again something that has contributed to the success of the billion-dollar iGaming industry. And for those who don’t want to go through the hassle of downloading an app, well, their mobile browsers offer an equally seamless experience, both in gaming and making transactions.
The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning
Artificial intelligence has also made a huge impact on the iGaming industry, revolutionising it in a way that probably no-one saw coming back in the 90’s when online gaming was first introduced. A player’s overall experience has been enhanced significantly since the rise of AI, for a number of reasons. Machine learning and AI means that algorithms have the ability to analyse a massive amount of data, thus allowing the iGaming casino to personally recommend games and offers to individual players. By having a more personalised experience, a player will naturally become more engaged, which ultimately leads to an increased level of customer satisfaction, and, of course, customer retention.
On top of all that, AI also plays a vital part in ensuring that a user’s online safety and security is not jeopardised, through preventing any fraudulent activity. Companies within the casino gaming industry now utilise AI powered algorithms, as they have the ability to detect any suspicious behaviour through identifying anomalies and pattern recognition. And let’s not forget AI powered chatbots. Many casino technologies can reap the benefits of having a customer support available 24/7, without having to hire additional casino staff.
The iGaming industry in 2023
The casino and iGaming industry underwent a significant growth and innovation in 2023. With advancements in casino technologies and online gambling becoming more globally accepted, the sky is the limit for the iGaming world. As we’ve mentioned, the continued rise in players using their mobile devices for their gaming has been a key trend in 2023, and smartphones only seem to be getting smarter. Or more powerful, at least. The shift towards mobile gaming will ultimately lead to the development of more mobile-friendly sites, with an even greater focus on optimising casino games for smaller screens.
And who’s to say that VR isn’t going to be the next big thing to be integrated into casino technologies? That could very well be the case. Immersive technologies, such as VR, has the potential to provider players with an even more interactive and authentic gaming experience.
The rise of Blockchain technology
Now, one thing we haven’t discussed yet is blockchain technology – something that has become somewhat of a game-changer for the iGaming industry. Through leveraging its potential, online casinos now have the ability to provide their players with a more secure and fair gaming platform. One of the benefits of blockchain technology is its ability to ensure a fair gaming experience. Through the use of smart contracts, players are able to verify the fairness of a game’s outcome, which reduces any risks of cheating. As well as a more secure game, blockchain is also beneficial as it means faster and, again, more security when it comes to transactions. Blockchain technology also reduces time spent taken up when using traditional payment methods, as well as the high fees that are often associated with such methods. Blockchain-based crypto means instant withdrawals and deposits, with minimal costs.
Depositing and withdrawing funds is part and parcel of an iGaming casino, and with that comes the risk of hackers who are ever willing to get their hands on vulnerable people’s money. Blockchain technology enhances the safety and security of data retrieved from players. Information is stored on a ledger, meaning it’s almost impossible for hackers to steal information.
Conclusion
So, there’s no denying the profound impact that modern technology has had on the casino and iGaming industry. It’s revolutionary in the way that people are now engaging with online gaming, and the way in which it can be enjoyed. What with the internet and mobile devices, new and exciting doors have been opened for a more immersive, yet more convenient online gaming experience. Graphics, speed, game quality, sound, and gameplay itself has improved massively over the years, with many casino games closely resembling the real thing for many – especially with so many live dealer games now available on the market.
There seems to be no stopping the evolution of technology, and certainly a fat chance of slowing it down. Who know what we can expect within the next 10 years as further advancements are made? Regardless of what the iGaming industry is going to look like in the future, we’re almost certain it’s going to be exciting.
