The online casino world has grown at a startling rate over the two decades plus since its inception, and a large reason for this growth is that technology has been arguably moving forward even faster.With every new technological advancement that can be translated in some way into the online casino world, a minor revolution occurs, and sometimes, even a major one.As a result, it can be hard to keep up with everything that’s changing in the iGaming world, especially because we are never far away from the next big change.However, as confusing as it may be, and there’s no doubt it is, it’s also incredibly exciting to think about what could be just around the corner.With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ways that technology may change the world of online casino play in the future, and the near future in some cases.
Virtual Reality
This is the big one right now, with the virtual reality already underway in the iGaming world, and in many other industries, due to the increased availability of VR capabilities, thanks to companies creating affordable, over-the-counter headsets.This started something of a race in the online casino world, with NetEnt amongst the first companies to incorporate virtual reality into the slot game world with the release of Gonzo’s Quest VR, a virtual reality remake of one of the Swedish developer’s most popular slots.The first online casino to go fully VR was SlotsMillion, which now allows players the chance to enter the casino, walk around, take a seat at a table, and play their favourite online casino games, all in a 360 degree VR world.VR brings with it concerns about immersion, as players can lose track of time when they are so put so deeply inside a casino experience, which is why SlotsMillion must follow various regulations, including having a clock visible at all times during gameplay.While there are, obviously, issues to be ironed out, virtual reality isn’t something for the future, it’s here now, and more exciting options are going to continue to be released.All of this means there will never again by reason to suggest that an online casino experience can’t offer anything that a brick and mortar casino can.
Artificial Intelligence
This is when things start to become a little more science fiction.Artificial intelligence is already a part of our every day lives to a large extent, and it is something that is becoming increasingly real with the invention and release of Alexa and other AI bots for the home.So, how could artificial intelligence be used in the online casino world?It would arguably take less time to list all the ways it couldn’t be, the options feel almost endless at this point.Imaging playing table and card games against AI systems that played according to your playing style, and read your movements and playing technique like a human poker player would.Of course, AI could also be used to create more realistic dealers, and games as a whole could become much smarter, cutting down on fraudulent activity from both players and operators by noticing when something was wrong.Artificial intelligence is clearly becoming an increasing part of our day to day lives, and it won’t be long now before that translates into the world of online casinos.Steps are already being taken, with it rumoured that more hands are played in online poker by bots than by players, meaning you may well have been playing artificially intelligent players at your favourite casinos for some time.Whether that’s true or not currently, it is unlikely to be too long before it is.
Technological Evolutions
Of course, it is not just new technologies that are going to make an impact on the online casino world as time goes on.There are technologies that are currently advancing, and have advanced a great deal in recent years, that will become increasingly important in the iGaming world.
Mobile Casino Play
Nothing has evolved more in the past few years than mobile casino play, going from something of an afterthought just a short time ago, with mobile players having little in way of gaming options compared to desktop players.That time is long behind us, however, and thanks to various technological advancements such as HTML5, and the increase in the number of players who prefer mobile play, these players now take up a strong percentage of the market.This has meant that software developers and innovators alike are working round the clock to bring the next big step forward in mobile play, and start the next stage in the mobile revolution.
The Evolution
Mobile doesn’t only mean mobile phone technology, at this point it can mean tablets, watches, and more, and that list is only set to continue.With an increasing number of devices becoming compatible with internet access, it is not beyond the realms of possibility to assume that you will by able to play the same online casino games from your mobile phone, your laptop, and your fridge in the near future.This may seem like a pipe dream, and not a particularly useful one, but such things are more than possible, and we can be sure that there will be a new way to play online casino games soon.
Cryptocurrencies
Another revolution that is very apparent at the moment is cryptocurrencies, with the huge and swift success of bitcoin spawning numerous imitators, many of which have found enough space on the market to profit themselves without bitcoin feeling the effect too much.Mining for cryptocurrency is becoming a popular hobby, and as a result, more players are looking to spend cryptocurrencies at online casinos.While the iGaming scene was uncharacteristically slow to react to this desire at first, that has since been fixed, and now there are numerous online casinos that offer the ability to deposit and withdraw with bitcoin, and in many cases several other cryptocurrencies.We can expect more sites to open their payment options to include cryptocurrencies very soon.The popularity of this payment method is increasing around the world, in the iGaming industry as much as any other, due to the anonymity offered by paying in this way.While this may be a concern, as anonymity is not conducive to the desired transparent nature of the iGaming industry, it may be bitcoin’s own security system which changes that.
Blockchain
There is no part of the online world that is not likely to be affected in some way by Blockchain technology in the coming years.Blockchain was first developed to provide the security system for bitcoin, but the wider uses of the technology became instantly apparent.Safety and security are of paramount importance to us all when it comes to online transactions, and this is perhaps even more necessary in the online casino world.Blockchain could allow an extra dimension of safety for players, and allow them to have voice their own opinions, and have an impact on how data is used, and how the technology operates to best suit the user.In short, Blockchain could change everything, and may well be one day seen as the single most important evolution in the iGaming world.The technology has the capability to solve problems revolving around payouts and winnings amongst multiple other possibilities, helping to resolve disputes between players and casinos simply, and fairly.While there has been an increasing focus on the importance of transparency in the world of online casino sites and games, this is not always the case.While regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) impose fines and give workshops to ensure that players are treated fairly, and no advantage is taken of vulnerable or problem gamblers, there is only so much that can be done.Compliance is gaining ground as an important issue for online casinos, and the addition of Blockchain would not only give a huge dose of peace of mine to players, it would also lead more to play, leading to an uptake in profits and revenues for the iGaming world as a whole.Blockchain is one of those technologies that is guaranteed to become a part of the online casino world, and it will benefit all when it does, as well as providing the first step towards increased AI usage in the iGaming industry.It is often terrifying to consider not only how much technology has advanced, but how much the pace of those advances has increased over recent years.With many innovative technologies being, themselves, responsible for the ability to create more, the more technology moves on, the faster the evolution will get, and the more incredible options that will be available in all areas of our lives.For online casino fans, this means that virtual reality and artificial intelligence is likely to be little more than the tip of the iceberg of what is to come, and that’s incredibly exciting!