The iGaming Roadmap: Trends That Will Shape the Industry

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The last decade wasn't without a rapid transformation in the iGaming industry. Thus, it has evolved from a niche entertainment into a whole ecosystem. Technological advances, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer habits do not allow the industry to remain as it is. So, we can see constant transformation and evolution. The rise of online gambling has changed this kind of entertainment significantly, and those who have been enjoying this leisure for quite a while already say it has taken a gigantic step forward. 

While the future of gaming remains a mystery and it is difficult to say what betting and wagering would look like in ten years, trends for the near future are obvious and leave no doubts that they would lead to even further innovations, player engagement, and efficient gambling.

Regulatory Evolution: Compliance as a Cornerstone

Transparency and accountability are essential. Along with the high importance of compliance, they will shape the regulatory future in the gambling sphere. Regulations have already been changed to offer a more secure gambling experience for customers. This tendency would become a trend in a couple of years. For instance, in countries like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, we might see:

  • increased number of regulations that impose restrictions on advertising and gambling activities.
  • have stronger demands to receive better responsible gambling.
  • has an enhanced data protection. 

While gambling flexibility is becoming more limited in Europe, wagering in Latin America and Africa is up-and-coming and it will continue to grow. This is particularly due to the fact that those markets are still new. This means players from Latin America and Africa would have more winning opportunities, as the websites would target more markets on those continents.

As you can see, regulations can be tightened or loosened depending on the country, but one thing is clear - it will continue to evolve, and as a result, reshape industry.

Increased Internet Speed that Drives Engagement

The EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has announced a new round of funding. It gives €865 million for improvements in energy, transport, and digital infrastructure. The latter aims to deliver high-speed internet to all Europeans before 2030. What does this have to do with gambling trends? This initiative actually impacts different aspects of the industry and the quality of provided services. Speedy Internet will create a good ground for further growth of the number of players in Europe.

Some of the clear areas of impact are:

  • Live casino: table games and game shows are broadcast from live studios, and they already require a faster Internet connection. Access to 5G and gigabit internet speeds would certainly improve the way live casino games are streamed.
  • Player engagement: from players’ perspective, we might expect more satisfaction because of a glitch-free gambling experience with top-notch quality. This means a higher desire to come back and make wagers on blackjack, roulette, or live game shows.
  • High-quality streamers: let’s not forget that streaming your gambling experience would flourish from a top-quality internet connection. Enhanced quality of videos would also increase conversion. Influencers will popularize gambling, showing their wagering experience in HD.

Speedy Internet is certainly one of the benefits of the iGaming sphere that allows for an enhanced customer experience and additional opportunities for providers and software developers.

AI & Data Analytics: Personalization Meets Risk Management

It is already difficult to imagine technological advances without AI. It plays an essential role in how gambling platforms operate. This technology helps to tailor promotions, recommend games based on previous behavior, and adjust bonus offers to make them personalized. 18% of companies related to gambling have already implemented artificial intelligence into the services they provide. AI helps to deliver customized services while making the operations more effective.

What aspects of gambling will be leveraged thanks to AI? Security is one of the cases. AI systems can detect unusual activity like multiple accounts, suspicious betting patterns, or signs of problematic gambling. Thanks to speedy and reliable insights, operators can react quickly and ensure all regulatory standards  are met, and user protection is not compromised.

On top of that, predictive analytics in the right hands will make the gambling experience more personalized. By studying betting habits and game preferences, operators can offer timely promotions that feel relevant. It’s a more efficient way to support retention while promoting safer play.

Mobile-First to Mobile-Only: Tech Transitions

Let’s be honest, the number of those players who prefer desktop gambling over mobile is shrinking every year. Some websites already report that the number of mobile players significantly exceeds the number of those who still use a web version on their laptops. Yet, many casino providers still ensure gamblers have options and maintain both. 

This is a rapid increase in mobile gambling, and we can see a transition from mobile-first to mobile-only. New operators might decide to omit the launch of the web version and use the saved money to make a mobile experience more fun and interactive.

Gamification & Engagement Models

That one is certain to happen, and it is actually happening right now. If we compare live entertainment or reel machines a decade ago and now, it is already a huge step towards more interaction and user engagement. Players are no longer interested in seeing three to five identical symbols on paylines that bring a win. They want a backstory, an action, and plot twists. Modern gamblers want to be surprised and engaged. Slots are the best genre to give players that all.

Gamification is a simple yet multi-layered answer. On the one hand, we get complex mechanics in slots backed by exciting plots and intriguing twists. What can we expect in terms of mechanics?

  • More diversity in how wins are generated. Players get tired of the familiar bonuses and winning patterns. So, developers need to get creative and come up with fresh mechanics and bonus types often. 
  • No more games with a single bonus round. Players no longer buy it. They would like to have more bonuses and more often. That is one of the reasons why the “Buy Bonus” feature is so popular. Thus, a combination of different features in one game is the future.
  • Shift towards arcades. Slot machines are morphing into a completely new genre. They have more and more arcade features and can combine different game types. E.g., having a plinko bonus instead of free spins is already a thing. Developers would move further in this direction, and we might receive a completely new type of casino game in the near future.

However, game developers are not the only ones to offer gamification and new engaging models. Online casinos also do this, but in their own way. They introduce it on the bonus and loyalty program level to ensure higher retention, boosted engagement, and higher satisfaction.

We might see a step aside from traditional bonuses, as the reward section will turn into a quest for riches rather than a simple “we have a bonus for you, activate it and play”. 

How casinos would achieve that gamification? Mainly with the following tools:

  • AI that would make it easy to have personalized missions, challenges, and rewards tailored to individual players. Just like with Nespresso boutiques that analyze your shopping data and preferences to ensure you get a personalized offer that you cannot resist. 
  • Blockchain integration with faucets, token earnings, and other rewards
  • Augmented reality that would make challenges and missions more interactive and real-world inspired.

Those are just some of the available tools, and their number will grow given the current progress in technologies and their rapid integration into the gaming industry.

Live Casino & Streaming Entertainment

Live casino games are no longer static and table-based streams as they were a decade ago. They now offer a blend of game shows, reality TV, and influencer culture. Titles like “Crazy Time” and “Monopoly Live” offer impressive immersiveness, interaction, and engagement. No wonder live game shows are currently on the rise.

That is already a lot of innovation for the live dealer section, but we certainly can expect more!

AR and VR technologies used at online casinos are currently exceptions rather than the common thing, but they might become mainstream in 5-10 years. Live dealers in 360° environments or fully immersive poker rooms are on the horizon. Those technologies can make betting on a live casino too real, so you would not need to go to a physical casino to get that engaging vibe.

The Rise of Crypto and Blockchain

Will fiat disappear from online casinos for good? We doubt that. Still, we will certainly see a stronger impact of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies in the future. Here are some of the possible innovations we might expect:

  • Just like it is with Pay N Play casinos for some markets, we might have a possibility to just connect our own crypto wallet and start gambling. Why bother with the registration, funds transferring, and crypto fees? Exactly!
  • Collect NFTs while playing the games. Having the possibility to get some common or rare NFTs as a part of loyalty rewards, collect them in games, or use them as entry tickets to exclusive tables or tournaments. That sounds quite exciting, isn’t it?
  • Decentralized casinos can become a common trend as blockchain technology would allow having no intermediaries. Players can engage directly with the game and payouts can be automated using smart contracts.

Given how popular crypto currently is in the gambling industry, we are sure that those innovations we mention are just the beginning.

New Markets and Generation Z Preferences

For now, gambling is highly associated with Europe and Asia, as well as North America. We have already seen a boom in gambling in Latin America, and this region is currently thriving. At the same time, there is still a whole African region that is just about to come to the international gambling scene. South Africa is already trying to build a strong gambling community, but we still have such underexplored markets as Kenya and Nigeria.

Game providers and online operators will focus on those soon, so we might see a higher demand for slots inspired by African culture and live dealer games giving the African vibe. 

However, it is not just the geography that would define the future trends, but also the generation that plays games. The generational shift is underway. Millennials may still dominate in terms of spend, but Gen Z players raised on Twitch, YouTube, and fast-twitch digital experiences will certainly reshape gambling. They demand shorter and more social gameplay. Storytelling, avatar personalization, and ethical messaging are also among the features they expect from the industry. No doubt, those involved in the industry would certainly try to meet their expectations. While they try to keep players satisfied, they will also create new gambling trends.

Final Word

The iGaming landscape is dynamic and profoundly shaped by both technology and culture. While the exact future of the gambling industry is still obscure, one thing is certain: adaptability is the new edge. Thus, to thrive and remain at the top, software providers and online operators should evolve and adapt to all new trends from AI and crypto to complex regulation and shifting player preferences.