Online gaming, including casino games, is one of the fastest-growing industries of the 21st century. From the moment casinos moved online in the 1990s, the popularity of its games has boomed across the world.
Whether playing slots, roulette, poker, or online blackjack, millions of gamers have flocked to trusted providers like 888 Casino. In 2022, the global gaming industry was worth over $60 billion, a figure expected to exceed $114 billion by 2028.
Almost 400 years since the opening of the world’s first casino, the industry is more popular than ever before. Just because they are enjoying great success, however, doesn’t mean casino providers are ready to stop innovating.
As with all modern life, the world of online casino moves quickly and is constantly developing. Casino platforms dedicate huge resources to data collection and analysis in the ongoing battle to stay ahead of the competition.
With that in mind, we’re looking to 2023 and beyond to see what changes are in store for online casino. These are some of the top predictions for casino games in the upcoming years.
-
Cryptocurrencies
Online casino has already become a leader in the acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The security and anonymity of the blockchain technology which drives crypto are highly desirable qualities for many casino users.
The upcoming years are likely to see the role of cryptocurrency increase in many areas right across our society. Online casino will continue to be at the forefront of this with cryptocurrencies becoming increasingly normalized across mainstream platforms.
-
Legalization and regulation
Throughout its history, the legality and regulation of casino games has been a constantly changing environment all across the world. While some governments are still cautious about removing casino restrictions, current trends indicate a tendency toward more permissive attitudes.
This is likely to continue as governments across the globe switch on to the potentially massive revenues available from regulated licensing. The result is that legal access to online casinos will become possible for many more ordinary citizens around the world.
-
Live dealers
Online casino games such as blackjack with a live dealer have already been around for some time. Recently, however, an increased acceptance of video calling and improved broadband speeds have grown the appetite for such features.
In societies that are becoming more separate and isolated, interaction with a live dealer brings a much-desired human connection. The popularisation of VR and AR technologies is likely to also drive further demand for games featuring live dealers.
-
Social connection
It’s impossible to deny the popularity of social media and the impact it has on how we live our lives. For almost every industry, integration with social media has become essential for marketing, communication, community, loyalty, and much more.
Chat rooms and forums have been part of online casinos for several years, and these are just the start. The near future will see online casinos push the boundaries for enhancing their products with the power of social platforms.
-
New tech
If moving casino online was the start of a golden era, harnessing mobile technology sent it into a new stratosphere. The convenience of mobile play combined with intuitive touchscreen controls has proved to suit online casino perfectly.
The next steps in gaming tech are likely to come in three forms: virtual reality, augmented reality, and wearable devices. Used correctly, these have the potential to revolutionize online casino once again.
Playing blackjack on our smartwatches, or perhaps even smart glasses, could offer the next level of convenience and accessibility. Virtual and augmented reality, on the other hand, has the potential to elevate gameplay into a totally immersive experience.
-
Game variations
Classic casino games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette have always come in different variations developed over time. The difference is that, with land-based casinos, changes were much slower and more costly to make.
In the digital world, making tweaks and innovations to how games are played is much easier, and far quicker. As casino platforms continue to strive for new audiences and fresh appeal, many more variations are likely to come along.
-
Themes and collaborations
Integrating classic play with themes from popular culture is already well-established in games such as online slots, with huge popularity. It is likely that casino platforms will pursue the same kind of success with card games, including blackjack.
Online blackjack games could be played in the environments of hit movies, or against avatars of celebrities and fictional heroes. Another possibility is merging game types together, with players solving puzzles or answering questions in order to earn playing credits.
-
Team play
Traditionally, we imagine online blackjack and other casino games to be an individual pursuit. Considering the rise of eSports and multiplayer role-playing games, however, it is possible this may be set to change.
Online casino platforms could begin allowing players to form teams, or guilds, with brand identities and even corporate sponsorship. This could lead to fans following their favourite online casino team just as they might a football or hockey club.
These are just some of the possibilities and predictions for how casino games will develop in the coming years. There are many more and, of course, none of us can say for certain how the future will look.
One thing is for sure, casino games will continue to change, develop, and innovate for as long as they exist. We might not know what exactly comes next, but we can’t wait to find out.
At 247 News Agency, Jason has covered a wide range of topics, from politics and business to crime and entertainment. He is highly respected by his colleagues and peers, and his articles are widely read and shared. With a passion for news and a commitment to accuracy, Jason Root is a valuable asset to the 247 News Agency team.
