For most markets, 2021 has been extremely rough for businesses all over the world. However, several industries have managed to do more than just weather the storm, growing stronger more than ever. The online casino market is one of such industries that have continued rising more than ever despite the challenges that have affected most businesses this year.
With most people staying away from entertainment centers and spending most of their time at home, online casinos have witnessed a spike in the number of customers. That helped online casino games gain a lot of traction this year, with market experts projecting a CAGR of 11.94% from 2021-2026. This growth was witnessed across various regions globally, with online casino sites Australia recording almost triple figures in gambling spending in September compared to the previous years.
In the UK, the search interest for online casino games reached an all-time high this year, with the gross gambling yield on real event online gambling reaching 196.9 million pounds in July. Here are six trends that have helped online casino games gain traction in 2021.
Why Online Casino Games are Gaining Traction in 2021
Upgrade of Slot Machines
As online casinos try to attract a younger generation of players, the market is adopting slot machines with a skill element to them. That’s because younger players are accustomed to these types of features that are available in made modern video games and consoles they used while growing up. That proves that people want to be entertained and engaged at all times.
This young generation of players is undoubtedly bored by games that present them with something redundant, something that casino operators don’t want to happen to their customers. That’s because most of these casino players start to entertain thoughts of leaving to do other things whenever they feel bored. As such, upgrading these slot machines means offering games that feel new and fresh.
The Decline of Land-Based Casinos
Land-based casinos are getting pressure from their online counterparts and facing a rapid decline of players as more people stay at home. The number of customers in land-based casinos has also been declining since players need to travel to the nearest casinos to enjoy a game. Additionally, most land-based casinos are concentrated in urban areas like the Jersey Shore or Las Vegas and people normally need to spend a lot of cash.
The amount of time and money needed by a client to play in a land-based is exorbitant, which explains why most people are choosing to play online casino games. Online casinos offer more convenience and privacy to the players while delivering an immersive and vibrant gaming experience. Most premium online casinos also offer a wide variety of games to satisfy the needs of different gamers. Additionally, the games go through routine upgrades to ensure that players always enjoy their experience.
Interactive Gaming Systems
Most online casinos offer the best content to meet and address the expectations of numerous guests. Technological advancements have also made sure that players can access engaging and entertaining online games in a luxurious setting.
Interactive gaming systems can merge the popularity of social and online gaming on the casino floor. That’s why the current online casino players are mostly young and grew up enjoying interactive gaming experiences using their old Sega, Nintendo, and Atari gaming systems.
Introduction of Modern Table Games
Games like poker and blackjack need a certain level of mastery to increase your odds of winning when playing. Unfortunately, not every player has these skills, so most beginners are always on the lookout for casino games that might be challenging but easy to learn. As a result, online casino operators are continuing to add new table games on their websites to see which titles become popular. Additionally, as players become more accustomed to online and social games, they’re attracted to the same type of titles on the casino floor.
More Live Dealer Games
While online casinos appeal to millions of players worldwide, most people are showing an interest in platforms that deliver a real live casino experience from their homes. These players enjoy an engaging real dealer, which explains why this gaming habit started.
With more online casinos leveraging this information for the benefit of their sites, online casino games have continued gaining traction in 2021. These online casinos also try their best to match the brick-and-mortar casino experience, using lively dealers in casino games like Baccarat and blackjack. This human interaction makes it more tempting for players to stay on the platform longer and play more.
Smartwatch Casinos
While smartphone casino platforms have been around since 2015, most players have only started using them recently. Unfortunately, there are only a few online casino games that are optimized for smartwatches, but the number is growing gradually. As such, these wearable devices are set to dominate the online casino market as the more accessible and convenient option.
