Key Technologies Influencing Casino Gaming: What You Need to Know

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At their very core, casino games are usually quite simple. With a long history, games like slots and roulette were invented and run using mechanical machines. Others required only minor props to enjoy, such as a deck of cards or pair of dice. 

Yet technology continues to be a major driving force behind innovations in the world of casino gaming. Without the modern technology used today, casinos would look very different and online casinos wouldn’t exist at all. So, let’s take a look at some of the recent and ongoing uses of technology in the casino industry. 

1. Random Number Generators (RNGs)

One of the primary challenges when it came to making casino games digital, was how to ensure randomness and fairness without the use of a dealer to physically shuffle cards or spin the ball around the roulette wheel. 

Random Number Generators (RNGs) produce a large string of numbers from a smaller string of seed numbers in order to determine a given outcome. In casino terms, this means the RNG will effectively shuffle the decks or spin the reels of a slot. In fact, anytime someone goes to play online casino, the RNG is working in the background to keep the game random, mapping the game elements like card ranks, ball landing slots, die rolls, and so on. 

Players may be sceptical about the use of RNGs and their fairness, but the truth is a fully licensed online casino will be independently audited, and that includes RNG inspections. They have no control over outcomes. In fact, technically speaking, there’s more randomness to a randomly generated number than there is a human shuffling cards. 

For the player, this all takes place in the background. Once the random number has been generated, the casino software shows a visual representation of the outcome in the game, whether that’s a slot reel lining up or a roulette ball landing in a certain place. 

2. Live Dealer Games

For players who prefer the traditional approach of having a human host the game and generate the outcomes, live dealer games bridge the gap between the real world and online platform. Live dealer games are usually run from a studio and have been gaining popularity for over a decade for their convenience combined with the authenticity of the experience.

Of course, it is technology that has made it possible. Multiple high-definition cameras monitor the action and relay it in real time to a Game Control Unit (GCU), which works with sensors in order to transmit the game over the internet. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology collects game data, such as cards dealt, and overlays it on the screen. 

The result is that the player can interact with the game in real time as it is being broadcast from the studio. The experience is seamless, and this is what makes it an attractive option for players. 

3. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain

There’s been a lot of noise and hype around cryptocurrency over the years, especially around the fluctuations of price. But one of the places in which it has found real-world application is at online casinos. 

Online casinos offer a range of deposit options, ranging from bank transfer to online payment platforms like Paypal and Skrill. Now, many also offer cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether. 

In some cases, using cryptocurrency can reduce processing times and transaction fees, which benefits both the casino and the player. For this reason, online casinos sometimes offer additional bonuses for players who are using crypto to deposit. 

The technology behind cryptocurrency is blockchain. Although it’s not quite taken off yet, online casinos could potentially use this technology to keep a publicly available record of every transaction, bet, and payout. This would be nearly impossible tamper with, further enhancing online security.

Online casinos could even integrate the use of Smart Contracts, contracts built into the blockchain, around responsible gaming, such as deposit and time limits.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

No discussion on technology would be complete without mentioning Artificial Intelligence (AI). Just like many industries over the last few years, the casino industry has incorporated AI in a number of ways.

AI can improve security at online casinos, especially when it comes to preventing fraudulent activity, cheating and collusion. AI can analyse huge data sets and spot unusual patterns when it comes to transactions or gameplay. In the future, it could even be used for responsible gaming, to see when a player is betting outside of their usual habits. 

It’s also used to enhance the player experience by providing personalised promotions and game selection. By analysing player data, the AI can modify the bonuses given and the games shown on the home screen. 

And, of course, love them or hate them, there’s the AI chatbots. They can provide instant customer support 24/7, passing on more difficult problems to human customer support agents as and when needed. 

2. In the Casino Walls

It may seem like many of these technological advancements only apply to online casinos, but this is not the case. Even within physical casinos, the environment is more digital and reliant on tech than it may initially seem.

Casinos use RNGs for digital versions of their games. Most casino slots are now digital, as is video poker and electronic versions of classics like roulette. 

Casinos also use RFID technology in chips to prevent theft and fraud, ultra HD cameras to monitor action on the floor, facial recognition to track big spenders and card counters, and AI to analyse data and offer customized offers to players. 

Technology is impacting both the online and real-life casino worlds, and will continue to do so as companies seek to improve both security and player experience. 

• As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
• Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
• Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
• Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
• Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
• This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.

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