What Potential Impact Could Technology Have on the Gambling Industry?

Technology has significantly changed and improved the way we interact, not only with those around us but with people across the globe too.

Can you imagine life without your smartphone?

It's the smartphone that's had one of the biggest impacts on our professional, personal and social lives ' and these changes feel like they've almost happened overnight.

In just a few years, these small handheld devices have gone from being a means of texting and calling people (and playing Snake, of course!) to a one-stop gadget that allows us to take photos, browse the Internet, communicate with people all over the world and access a variety of games.

While these amazing developments have altered the way we shop, socialise and entertain ourselves, they've also given developers the ambition to create even more exciting applications that'll enhance our mobile usage further. These apps are having an impact on a number of industries, including online gaming.

The online gaming industry has swiftly evolved to incorporate mobile devices, providing the gambling industry with the opportunity to allow people to access their games, online casinos and slots all day, every day.

The Growth of Online Gambling

The online gambling industry has grown rapidly in recent years, despite it being a relatively new form of gaming. For example, more than £4 billion was spent in the remote casino, betting and bingo sector in the U.K. in 2016 – an increase of more than 10% from 2015. This means, in the U.K., online gambling accounts for 34% of the entire gambling industry. Furthermore, it’s anticipated that in 2018, 164 million people worldwide will either buy a lottery ticket, visit a mobile casino or place a bet using their mobile device.

But as online slots continue to garner popularity, will land-based casinos start to struggle? 

The statistics also indicated that the number of betting shops and bingo shops have reduced slightly this year. The number of betting shops decreased by 3.9% from March 2017 to September 2017, while the number of bingo premises dropped by 1.4% from March 2017 to September 2017. However, there was one more casino opened in Great Britain during this time, taking the total to 147.

The growth of online gambling will unquestionably have an impact on land-based betting shops and casinos, as more people may opt to gamble from the comfort of their own home rather than visiting one of these establishments. Physical casinos offer some advantages, including the social aspect, and betting shops are starting to introduce technology to try and keep up with the online gambling world.

But will bricks-and-mortar casinos and betting shops be able to keep up with the innovations in store for online casinos?

Upcoming innovations in the online gambling world

We've already touched on some of the amazing innovations that have been witnessed in the online gambling world. After all, you don't have to cast your mind too far back to remember a world without mobile gambling.

Mobile slots and mobile casinos are now an everyday part of so many people's lives ' especially as most of us are firmly attached to our smartphones every waking hour. It makes sense, therefore, that such a large proportion of the gaming industry is now mobile, with casino apps and online slots.

But as technology continues to advance, players are going to want more and more from these apps and mobile slots. They'll demand more functions, advanced designs, seamless animations, faster loading times and an interactive experience that could be likened to being in a real-life casino.

So how do casino operators and software developers retain their customers' attention?

They stay ahead of the times by offering consumers high-quality, innovative technology. Just offering mobile casinos is no longer enough ' everyone's doing that now. Instead, they need to up their service game and the quality of their offerings to keep ahead of the curve.

Soon we might not be able to remember what online gambling was like without the added bonus of virtual reality.

Virtual reality slots

Virtual reality is still an up-and-coming technology, but an increasing number of developers are starting to explore the unprecedented potential of VR games and VR slots. For example, by wearing a pair of VR goggles, a player could interact with online games while also enjoying the experience of playing in a virtual casino, partaking in real-money games. The aim of VR would be to enable gamers to interact so they feel as though they're at the centre of the action in a casino ' but without even having to leave their house.

Essentially, VR could recreate the social aspect that betting shops and casinos are using as their ace card over online casinos.

More Acceptance of Online Gambling

Team these innovations with the growing acceptance of online gambling around the world and it's clear the only way is up for this industry. Despite several countries having rigid legislation in place, many are starting to note the significant impact online gambling can have on the economy. And as online gambling becomes more widely acceptable and technology continues to advance, who knows what's in store for the online gambling industry?

One thing is for sure, though, the online gambling industry has been incredibly adaptable and flexible over the last few decades, and online casinos are going to be utilising every possible technological resource and innovation available to create an online gaming experience that surpasses any other channel.