If there’s one thing the casino industry can’t be accused of, it is standing still. iGaming companies have consistently risen to the challenge of incorporating new designs and ideas, and their expansion and conviction in new technology have changed the online gaming world as we know it.
It isn’t an industry that rests on its laurels, and it is going through arguably the biggest growth period in the last twenty years. Online casino companies are committed to harnessing new technology to enhance the experience of casino players. So, let’s take a look and explore how new technology is changing the game for players, as well as how it could shape the industry throughout the rest of this decade and beyond.
The Importance Of Payment Systems For Casino Gamers
For several years, casino gamers and those in the industry have often argued about the most crucial element—is it site security, choice of games, or quality of customer service? Well, there’s no dispute that these things are essential and must co-exist, but which element is the most important to online casino players?
As somebody who has played casino games for years and spent countless hours writing about the topic, I think payment systems and the speed of withdrawals are the most important aspects of casino gaming.
Although security, customer service, and other factors are massively important, they are a given; casinos must have these, or they will cease functioning. However, when it comes to payment systems and the speed of withdrawals and deposits, there’s a broad scale in which online casinos operate, and it’s often those that prioritize quick withdrawals that grab the attention of casino gamers.
Dunder’s online casino in Canada processes withdrawals instantly and while this is the aim of all casinos—as it is the quickest way to customer satisfaction and approval—plenty of providers get it wrong. Implementing fintech providers like PayPal has helped move the industry forward over the last twenty years. Still, looking to the future, other factors are changing the game for online casino players.
Blockchain And Cryptocurrency
While traditional casinos still take up the lion’s share of activity in the online casino market, there’s a growing demand for casinos that use alternate payment methods. A big chunk of this demand has emerged from the recent all-time high price action of Bitcoin, which first occurred in March 2024 but saw new highs in the final few months of the year. The emergence of traditional institutions wanting to invest in blockchain and cryptocurrency projects has meant that some traditional casinos have investigated it as a potential payment method, and there has been a steady rise in the number of cryptocurrency casinos in the modern market.
Blockchain is changing the game because it does not follow conventional payment systems. Unlike traditional casinos—where users must sign up with their information, usually verify their identity using photo ID, and add their card information, crypto casinos use their holding wallets to store customer funds and allow casino players to connect their wallets directly.
Changing Marketing Strategies
Technology has become a key influence on how we see adverts. A lot of modern marketing is via our phones, and for online casinos, this is where the key battleground is; it doesn’t matter if it’s a short on social media, a paid advert on Facebook, or an e-mail mailing list.
They’ve all taken over traditional advertising in legacy media, which continues to struggle in the smartphone age. TV and radio ads, and everything else—from classified ads to physical leaflets and letters—are feeling the pinch. Technology has meant that sophisticated algorithms can target potential casino gamers based on various criteria clipped from search engine hits, browsing history, and websites visited.
While this might sound intrusive, it shows how technology is changing the game for casino players by moving away from the scattergun approach of traditional adverts like TV and focusing on hyper-specific audiences, which they have the best chance of converting into users who will ultimately play on their site.
Virtual Reality (VR)
When Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook would rebrand to Meta and that he had his eyes set on virtual reality technology, the wider public seemed unconvinced. Although VR is slowly becoming more of a factor, and the price of headsets continues to become more affordable, online casino gaming could be one area where we see VR become more influential.
We might be jumping the gun slightly here. I don’t know anybody who uses VR to play casino games, but there has been increased investment in VR casino gaming. If they execute the design correctly, it could be the last push the industry needs to attract more casino gamers away from land-based providers.
One of the main variables for those who prefer land-based casinos to online providers stems from the atmosphere and feel of a land-based casino floor. However, if VR can replicate this, it would be one of the biggest game changers the industry has seen in years.
Final Thoughts
VR, blockchain, and slicker payment systems are the three most significant tech changes we’ll likely see between now and the end of this decade. Some casino experts would probably squeeze AI into this list, but not only is the topic over-discussed, but the impact on casino gaming is also overstated.
AI has been used in casino gaming for over a decade. Unless it develops to a point where it could replace live dealers, which is unlikely to happen anytime soon, it won’t change the game as drastically as the topics we’ve touched on today.
For casino bosses and game designers, the only reason to implement new technology is to increase profit. This might sound reductive and ruthlessly capitalistic, but it’s how it works in such a profitable and cut-throat industry. VR, blockchain, and slicker payment systems are currently driving this change.
While AI might become more influential in casino gaming in time, technology is all about proven results and profit. AI has the potential to become the most essential tech innovation of all time, especially with its potential impact on healthcare; there’s nothing too distracting it will bring into casino gaming, especially in the short term.
