3 Key Factors Behind the iGaming Boom
Even for those people who have never seen themselves as a keen gamer or fan of casinos, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the sheer rate of growth across online casinos, poker rooms and other iGaming websites.
The latest forecast from Statista suggests that the size of the iGaming industry could double over the next five years, hitting an approximate value of £72 billion by the end of next year. Yet to be honest you don’t even need to trawl through the stats to realise that the market for online casinos is getting bigger and bigger. Operators across the board are now investing heavily in advertising their brand wherever they can, whether that’s through search engines, social media platforms or TV channels.
It’s fair to say the competition for market share has never been fiercer. Whether it’s a wider games selection or invest in technology, online casinos and iGaming hosts are looking to capitalise on every possible way to attract new clients and engage their existing customer base. Here are a few key drivers of growth within the iGaming industry that are worth watching closely
The adoption of mobile technology
“Smartphones” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by clasesdeperiodismo
There are currently more than 250 million smartphone users in the United States alone, which should give you an indication of the sheer scale of growth and adoption that mobile technology has seen in recent years.
Smartphones and tablets are overtaking desktop PCs and laptops as the platform of choice for many modern gamers. In fact, the majority of iGaming hosts and programmers are now developing their latest games primarily for mobile, rather than desktop. The smaller processing power and screen size might seem a limitation at first, but it actually allows programmers to work quicker and fuel a faster stream of production. Couple that with the incredible HD graphics that most modern smartphones now have and you’re onto a winner.
The growth of online slots
“Casino Royale” (CC BY 2.0) by Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view
Slot games have typically been among the most immersive and accessible forms of entertainment offered by both physical and online casinos. Given their widespread popularity and ease of gameplay, it’s no surprise that iGaming operators across the board are investing heavily in taking their online slots offering to the next level.
The HTML5 framework is one such innovation that’s been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. This new framework has been singled-out as a gamechanger for the way online slot games are hosted, allowing players to play their favourite titles across almost any device or platform. The slot games at Aspers Casino Online are a prime example, most of which afford players the opportunity to use their mobile, tablet or laptop whenever they want to log in and spin the reels.
The success of live streaming
“Dealer” (CC BY 2.0) by hareshd5000
Imagine being able to enjoy the thrill of the casino floor from the comfort of your own sofa. Sounds pretty good, right? Thanks to live streaming technology, what once was a distant pipe dream has become a widespread reality for many iGaming fans.
Live streaming offers players the chance to view a HD video link to a real casino table, with a real dealer, whenever they want. This offers a far more immersive table game experience compared with the computerised roulette and blackjack games of years gone by. Many casinos even offer the ability to interact directly with the dealer and other players, creating a much more sociable gaming atmosphere. All you need is a decent internet connection and you’re away!
As you can see, we’ve already seen quite a few notable developments unfurl over the past 12 months or so – yet we’re expecting much more to come over the remainder of the year. Watch this space!
