If it feels like there’s been a quantum leap in technology in recent decades, well, there certainly has been. Technology continues to transform industries the world over, and the online casino industry is no exception. In recent years, online gaming has gone from a niche hobby to an incredibly popular way for people to enjoy participatory entertainment. Gaming is now more accessible, immersive, secure, and well, more fun than ever before. From mobile apps to virtual reality, artificial intelligence to cloud computing, here are four ways that technology is revolutionizing the online casino experience.
Mobile Apps Making Gaming More Accessible
Kids today will never know a world without smartphones and ubiquitous internet connections. Take crossword puzzles for example. You may remember your mom crossing off clues as she wrote letters (in pen!) on the back of a New York Times newspaper. Now, everyone from Boomers to Generation Alpha kids can play Wordle and other games, and enjoy endless and instant gaming opportunities from crossword to casino classics.
The days are long gone when gamers were limited to physical board games, gaming catalogs, or even tied to their desktop computers. Now, with the rise of mobile phones, apps and Wi-Fi, people have easier access to their favorite casino games. Gamers can play their favorite slots, table games and live dealer games from anywhere with an internet connection. Indeed, players’ ability to remain engaged and loyal to their preferred online casinos has increased thanks to mobile apps.
Operators who are just getting in the game know how important having a dedicated app is to stand out against the competition. The popular clothing brand and sportsbook, Fanatics, for example, recently launched its online casino, and is working hard to get a cutting-edge app out for gamers. To learn more about that, you can read a review of Fanatics here, and explore the different facets that make a good casino platform.
Virtual Reality Enhancing Player Experience
If you haven’t experienced virtual reality yet, it begs the question: What are you waiting for? Virtual reality, or VR as it’s often referred to, has taken casino games and video games in general to a whole new level. Complete with life-like graphics and sound effects, VR immerses gamers in a virtual casino environment that’s so realistic, that they’ll soon realize there’s no reason to go to an actual casino.
Players can don a VR headset, which is relatively inexpensive these days, and feel like they’re actually sitting at a real casino table. It’s taken relatively fun and simple two-dimensional gameplay and turned it into an interactive 3-D gaming wonderland.
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Online Casino Experience
You can hardly skim the latest headlines without seeing an article about artificial intelligence. The industry is absolutely booming. According to research published by PwC, AI is likely the biggest game changer since the internet. And there’s incredible value up for grabs. How big of an economic impact will AI have on the global economy? PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study estimates that AI could contribute up to over $15 trillion to the world’s economy by 2030.
Hardly any industry will go through this next decade without leveraging AI in some way. In the casino industry, AI is already using algorithms to analyze player data and behavior to provide customized recommendations and promos. The result? A more tailored and engaging experience. Online casinos are also leveraging AI to help detect and prevent fraud, creating a safer and more secure gaming environment for players.
Advanced Security Measures for Player Safety
Like any platform that handles large sums of money, an online casino is susceptible to targeted attacks from hackers. As such, security is paramount to protect the casino itself as well as ensure player safety. One technology that’s considered essential is advanced encryption, which, together with secure payment gateways, makes sure players’ sensitive personal and financial data is under lock and key at all times. Then there are firewalls, but more specifically, Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) which shield against application-targeted threats by preventing harmful web traffic from damaging or compromising applications.
A couple of relatively newer tech advancements are biometric authentication and multi-factor authentication (MFA). These measures add an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized access to player accounts. Don’t think you need to utilize MFA? Think again. The SEC’s X account (formerly Twitter), was recently hacked. The organization later admitted that they had MFA turned off, leaving their account vulnerable without the added layer of protection. It’s easy and smart to set up. If you fail to do so and your account is compromised, you only have yourself to blame.
Technology continues to revolutionize the online casino industry, making gaming more accessible, immersive and secure than ever before. From mobile apps to virtual reality, and artificial intelligence to advanced security tech, these advancements are shaping the future of online gaming. As technology continues to evolve, online casinos will continue to innovate and provide players with the best possible gaming experience.
