The iGaming industry is rapidly evolving into a mainstream, entertainment-driven sector.
Online casinos are constantly striving to be more accessible and engaging while capitalising on trends to move the market forward.
As technology advances and player preferences shift, casinos use increasingly diverse, dynamic, and sophisticated strategies to reach and interact with their audiences.
This digital revolution, fueled by cutting-edge tools, is transforming the online gambling experience with a strong emphasis on convenience, security, and personalisation.
Read on as GR8 Tech’s Head of Casino, Sergey Ghazaryan, explores the future of online casino trends and live gaming in this introduction.
And if your appetite is whetted and you’d like more, please accept our warm and essential invite to join our Virtual RoundTable to Unlock the Future of iGaming: The Birth of Casino 2.0, featuring in-depth discussions and insights from industry leaders on strategies for future-proofing casino operations.
Here for All: The Rise of Mobile Gambling and More
One overarching trend that defines broad availability is the dominance of mobile gambling.
People enjoy gaming from the couch, and so more and more of them do. By 2024, mobile gaming had already eclipsed desktop platforms, commanding an estimated 90-95 percent share. This trend shows no signs of slowing down as smartphone technology advancements enhance the gaming experience.
Sergey Ghazaryan, Head of the Casino Unit at GR8 Tech, says that the convenience and accessibility of being able to play from anywhere with an internet connection is a key factor behind the mobile gaming surge.
“Modern mobile devices’ enhanced graphics and touchscreen capabilities offer an immersive gaming experience that rivals traditional desktop setups. Additionally, the industry’s focus on mobile optimisation—with game developers prioritising responsive design, fast loading times, and intuitive navigation—has made mobile gaming more appealing than ever,” he affirms.
As the number of cryptocurrency users around the world grows, so too does its usage in iGaming.
The first nine-months of 2023 saw an 18.7 percent increase in the value of crypto bets, highlighting this trend.
Among cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin remains the preferred choice, accounting for 74.9 percent of bets, with Ethereum and Litecoin following at 8.9 percent and six percent, respectively.
The integration of cryptocurrencies into online casinos is also providing players with secure, anonymous payment options, allowing for seamless transactions across the globe.
While cryptocurrencies are not yet dominant, their growing popularity suggests they will play a significant role in the future of online gambling. In-game currency conversion and the ability to cater to crypto-savvy players are key developments that operators should keep an eye on.
“The iGaming industry is witnessing a steady rise in cryptocurrency integration.
“Although not yet dominant, the trend is expected to continue as digital currencies gain wider acceptance and operators further enhance crypto gaming experiences,” says Sergey Ghazaryan.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)–while still in their infancy within the online casino industry–are emerging as significant trends with immense potential. These technologies have the power to revolutionize how players experience online gambling, offering an exciting and promising future.
Engagement: Creating Immersive and Personalized Experiences
As online casinos become more available, they are also becoming more engaging, offering players immersive experiences beyond traditional gameplay.
One of the key trends driving this engagement is the rise of live casino games.
These games bring the classic casino vibe directly to the player’s home, offering a convenient, mobile-friendly format that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. With the ability to interact with live dealers and other players, live casino games are increasingly popular, and their growth is expected to continue as technology advances.
But,as Sergey Ghazaryan points out, live casino games have limitations that force operators to meet specific technical requirements.
“For example, they require strong technological solutions and high internet bandwidth for live streaming,” he says.
Accordingly, this poses a logical question: What is going on in the markets that have not yet achieved a stable technological level?
In this regard, it’s crucial to understand the importance of geo-specific content.
Different regions have different gaming preferences, and sometimes, they are directly linked to the geographical limitations of the region.
For instance, in certain African markets dominated by outdated devices and low bandwidth, lightweight instant games are the most popular casino content. In other regions, the dominance of certain game types may be attributed to cultural differences, or other factors.
Understanding these preferences and offering the right content in the right markets is crucial for operators.
But it doesn’t have to be a trial-and-error process if your partner–like GR8 Tech– already has the expertise to offer geo-specific presets to help operators succeed in various markets.
Finally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are pivotal in enhancing engagement by offering deep personalisation and improving the safety of iGaming platforms.
“AI has become a big part of iGaming and is being used more and more each day,” says Sergey Ghazaryan. “It’s already widely used to personalise player experiences, improve responsible gambling measures, and spot fraud.”
GR8 Tech is already harnessing AI-driven chatbots for customer support and employing machine learning algorithms to enhance the overall user experience.
The future potential of AI in iGaming is vast.
AI chatbots can offer round-the-clock support, providing personalised assistance and valuable data for player retention. ML models can optimise bonus campaigns, tailoring offers to specific player segments to boost profits.
Personalised recommendations based on AI can significantly enhance player engagement by customising suggestions according to individual preferences.
In game development, large language models can analyse player feedback and gameplay data to refine and improve gaming experiences.
Additionally, in esports betting, AI is crucial for analysing real-time match data and setting accurate odds.
Editor’s Note:
The gaming industry is evolving at pace and continually converging with mainstream entertainment. Mobile gaming now commands an estimated 90-95 percent of the market, proving a strong future force and impacting product design and delivery methods.
The continued convergence between cryptocurrencies and iGaming suggests the trend will continue to play an increasingly important role in the future of online casinos, especially for in-game currencies.
As customers seek ever-greater levels of immersive engagement, live games and AI—which increase retention rates and create personalised gaming experiences—will continue to provide new and exciting channels to meet this demand.
Ready for more expert insight from the industry’s brightest minds? Then join the panel on September 9 for the iGF Virtual RoundTable and discover how to Unlock the Future of iGaming: The Birth of Casino 2.0.
Our experts include Bodan Ilchenko, GR8 Tech’s Casino Product Manager; Myke Foster, Group Head of Gaming and Commercial Strategy at Fortuna Entertainment Group; Lauren Holder, Head of Casino at PowerPlay; and Laura Petrauska, Head of Casino at Bet99.
We’ll be discussing the latest trends in Casino, the importance of live casino products, how to optimise your casino portfolio, the future of player retention – and the best practices for cross-selling.
Don’t miss out.