This means that not only is the competition between land-based and online establishments set to raise up to another gear, but more online casino sites are going to be vying for the growing number of players. This will have an impact on software companies in particular, as they will need to develop and implement new, innovative technologies to get ahead of the game. The industry has come forward in leaps and bounds in the last few years with regard to the use of technologies like AI (Artificial intelligence) and VR (Virtual Reality), and it’s expected that this will continue and improve in 2023.
What other fresh ideas and projects can you expect in the market? What should you keep an eye out for, and how is advancing technology going to evolve the gambling world even further this year? We look at the prevailing trends among the best games to play at a casino right now.
More realistic experiences with VR and AR
VR and AR (Augmented Reality) are two terms that you’ve probably heard thrown about quite a bit in the last couple of years, and there’s a good reason for it. There’s been a massive breakthrough in the technology needed to completely harness the power of these two game-changers.
Don’t get the two confused, though, as they will impact the game in different ways. Virtual Reality currently requires a headset like the Oculus Rift, which players can use to enter casino rooms that look real but that are entirely constructed. Augmented Reality uses both reality and software to create a hyper-realistic playing experience. It’s the tech responsible for bringing you Pokemon Go a few years ago.
User experience – the best is yet to come
In 2021, the online gaming industry went above and beyond to ensure an improved user experience across platforms. We expect to see more of the same but to an even more-noticeable degree in 2023.
Machine Learning (ML,) a branch of AI, is being used across almost every industry to improve user experience, from banking to advertising. When it comes to the online gambling industry, companies are ready to take it to the next level. ML will be used to analyze your online behavior and, in turn, smooth out your experience by implementing changes to your home screen that includes things like your favorite games. And it will suggest new games that will be more likely to appeal to you.
If you play casino online games, this is going to be a game changer. For example, if you prefer to play online slots over card games, ML will take note of your patterns when you play online and will suggest different online slots on your homepage rather than something like blackjack.
The next section, where AI has already been implemented to a certain extent, is in the form of customer service. Chatbots are already in place to help players with queries, and the machine then analyzes and learns from every query, making it more accurate over time. It’s also a way for companies to get on top of fraudulent and cheating “customers” by tracking behavior and analyzing it. This task is time-consuming and difficult for a person, but AI can make casinos safer for players and owners. This behavioral tracking can also be applied to identifying players that are heading toward gambling addiction.
Increased blockchain use
The first time most people heard of blockchain was when Bitcoin surged at the end of 2017. However, although there was a huge rush to invest in it, not many of the investors actually understood the technology behind it.
Blockchain is defined as “a system in which a record of transactions made in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency is maintained across several computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network.” In other words, it’s unchangeable, time-stamped data that is managed by a whole network of secure computers and bound by cryptography.
The online gambling industry is starting to use blockchain more regularly and there are now dedicated blockchain casinos. What does this mean? Well, it levels the playing field between casinos and customers. The data is encrypted and cannot be accessed or manipulated by the casino. It also means that players don’t have to put in any personal data and transactions will become safer and even more secure. We’re expecting a lot more activity between blockchain technology and casinos in 2023.
Although blockchain technology is already being implemented with regard to safety and security in the online casino industry, it’s also going to be used to run other information like contracts and agreements.
Then there’s the potential for casinos and games to generate their own currency. Sandbox games, in particular, is a good example of this as its own currency is traded daily on the crypto exchanges.
2023 will see a big increase in the use of blockchain and the different ways in which it is used. Blockchain payment options, like Ripple, which has its own XRP coin, will be widely used as they can match the transaction speed of traditional methods like VISA. Keep an eye on the movement of blockchain in the industry; there’s no doubt that it is going to grow rapidly.
More women than ever before
If you weren’t aware, there are actually online casinos that are specifically geared toward women. These casinos came about due to the majority of female gamblers feeling uncomfortable and unsafe with the advances of their male counterparts.
However, the last couple of years have seen the female gambling base grow significantly, and now around 40% of gamblers in the US are female. This number is notable just because of how quickly female gamblers have grown in number in the last four or five years. This year we’re waiting for the female gambling base to grow further and to increase the industry’s revenue even more.
Live dealer and first-person games
One of the biggest drawbacks of online casino table games and other online games was that players felt that they lost that feeling of the “casino experience.” The social aspect of a brick-and-mortar casino is hugely important and it was difficult for players to make the change to playing online at home. This is no longer an issue thanks to technological improvements that have allowed the development of live dealer casino games and first-person games.
If you enjoy playing blackjack at a casino online but you miss the social element, then live dealer games will be right up your alley. These games are held in gaming studios where a live professional dealer hosts the game for online players to join. Players can talk to each other on the game’s chat feature and the dealer brings the casino element into the online realm.
If you’re into video games, then first-person casino games are going to be hugely exciting. They have the same element of first-person video games and you’ll be in an online casino seeing things through your own eyes. VR headsets are the main technology behind this increasingly-popular form of gaming. It’s developing fast and you can expect the graphics in first-person games to come along in leaps and bounds in the next couple of years.
Mobile and wearable technology
The growth in the mobile and wearable technology department has been substantial over the last few years, and online casinos are set to benefit from this growth. It can be a little confusing to understand what exactly wearables are, but if we’re to use an example from another industry, think of the electronic devices that are worn by sports people. They now have accessories embedded in their clothes and hands-free gadgets to track their performance.
Of course, when it comes to online casinos, you’ll need a screen and wearable technology that you’ll be able to use, including smartwatches, smart glasses, VR headsets and so on. As the tech behind wearables improves, we expect more games, such as progressive online slots, to become compatible with this technology in 2023.
The rise of sports betting and sports-themed games
One of the current casino industry trends that can’t be ignored is the growing popularity of sports-themed games and sports betting. Developers are now taking note of major sporting events and prominent personalities and including them in casino games such as slots and poker. Most recently, the Qatar World Cup 2022 was a major talking point that inspired several online slots. For many who couldn’t attend the live games, these World Cup-themed slots allowed them to get a taste of the live action and – to an extent – have an influence on how the games play out in their soccer-themed game of choice.
On the other hand, sports betting on soccer, horse racing and tennis are just some of the online casino trends that have come to the fore and which we at BetMGM have included in our offering. Known as the “Sport of Kings,” betting on horses is a pastime that has truly stood the test of time, with even the late Queen Elizabeth II having been a notable enthusiast. The digitalization of sports betting has allowed more people to place their wagers and access the races from just about anywhere in the world without having to physically make their way to a brick-and-mortar establishment in Las Vegas, which is known for its captivating nightlife.
Improved safety and security measures for players
One of the most important gambling trends that online casinos are prioritizing is better security and safety for players. This is especially important for patrons who play casino games for real money and pay digitally. They need to be reassured that their details are not compromised. This is a facet of online casinos that is constantly being improved, with new safety measures and conveniences being added to ease players’ concerns. Giving players a selection of payment options to choose from is a trend that is expected to continue for years to come.
In addition to the above, safer gambling also extends to encouraging patrons to gamble responsibly. As exciting as the online casino experience can be, players must be able to set boundaries and stick to a budget that they set to avoid potentially falling into debt because of spending more money than they had planned.
Enjoy some of the trendiest online casino games at BetMGM
As we look forward to what to expect in 2023, it’s safe to say that this is a year to get very excited about online casinos. There will be more games to choose from, and with the tantalizing mix of interactive technologies making the experience more like a brick-and-mortar casino with regard to interaction and excitement, we truly can’t wait to see the year unfold.
At BetMGM, we’re always thinking about our players and how we can use technology to give them more entertainment value, improved user experience and better safety and security. Register with the best online casino and get a real online casino experience with enticing bonuses and exceptional customer service, as well as access to the best online casino games.
