It’s reported that the global online gambling market will reach over $107 billion in 2024 and rise to just under $140 billion in 2028. This is one of the biggest industries in the world – and casinos are at the heart of it.
Millions of people log onto online casinos every day and explore the diversity of games and live shows. They’re super popular and we’ve seen drastic changes over the years. How will this industry adapt in 2024 and beyond as it becomes even bigger? We’ve spotted the five biggest online casino trends that all gamers should be aware of.
1 The Rise Of Trusted Non-Gamstop Casinos
The GamStop scheme is one of many programs introduced to combat problem gambling. It was launched in 2020 and has since seen hundreds of thousands of participants. What started as a fantastic idea with no opposition has transitioned into a tumultuous topic.
Some gamblers believe this scheme unfairly restricts them for far too long. You can be blocked from hundreds of sites for up to 5 years, but if you forget to cancel your self-exclusion, you’ll be blocked for a further 7!
As such, we’re seeing a rise in trusted online casinos not on Gamstop as people look for safe ways around this scheme. Sites like these let GamStop members gamble on reputable platforms, rather than risking it all at dodgy underground sites.
More to the point, lots of online casino operators are specifically choosing to avoid obtaining a UK licence because of the GamStop regulations. They’re opting for overseas licences instead as they can avoid being part of this scheme while still accepting UK players.
2 Mobile Casinos Continue To Grow
There’s already been a mobile revolution in the gaming world and now it’s coming to casinos.
Online casino websites are widely regarded as convenient alternatives to retail casinos. You don’t have to leave your house and can explore thousands of games all in one place. That’s awesome – but what if you’re not sat at a computer?
This is where mobile casinos come in. They provide all the benefits of online casino websites, only with the added element of portability. You can access these casinos via mobile apps or sites wherever you are. Maybe you’re lying on the sofa or perhaps you’re sitting on the train on the way back from work.
Regardless, this added convenience is attractive to players, which is why more casinos are focusing on mobile gambling. Expect a multitude of new mobile casino apps or games coming in the next twelve months.
3 VR Casinos Start To Appear On The Radar
You can’t go anywhere these days without someone mentioning virtual reality. It’s a hot topic made even hotter by the emergence of the Apple Vision Pro headset. This cool tech gadget has pushed the boundaries of virtual reality and led many people to wonder about the potential – especially from an online casino standpoint.
With so much interest in virtual and augmented reality, it’s not surprising to see that VR casinos are on the horizon. To be honest, many casinos can be accessed via VR headsets already, so you kind of get a more immersive experience. Playing at live tables in virtual reality is so similar to going to a real casino and playing there.
As this technology develops, we predict there will be purpose-built virtual reality online casinos. You’ll be able to walk around a virtual casino hall and physically “sit” at slot machines. It’s the ultimate way to combine the benefits of land-based casinos with the convenience of online ones.
4 Cryptocurrency Becomes A More Popular Payment Method
Cryptocurrency has been in the mainstream world for a few years and most people are aware of what it’s about. Up to this point, it’s largely been viewed as an investment tactic. Individuals talk about buying or mining crypto and the fortunes they’ve either won or lost.
However, online casinos are making cryptocurrencies far more useful. Over the last few months, they’ve become a hugely popular digital payment method at many sites. Players are opting for crypto payments thanks to the enhanced security and anonymity. Both of these things are key features of cryptocurrency – so it’s almost tailormade for the gambling industry!
As we progress through 2024, we think there will be an increase in cryptocurrency casinos and perhaps alterations from some countries regarding the crypto gambling laws.
5 More Instant Win Games
The final trend we’re excited about is the boom in instant win games. Regular casino games make you wait to win. You have to spin lots of reels or play through a strategic game of blackjack. Instant win games offer immediate payouts for simple actions. This can be scratching virtual scratch cards, spinning one wheel or loads of other things.
We see this type of game getting even bigger this year and beyond. Why? Because it’s a quick and easy way for people to win money. The odds of winning are usually high and the games are over quickly. It’s the perfect thing to do when you want to kill a couple of minutes!
What other trends do you foresee in online casinos over the next twelve months? Let us know if we’ve missed anything and feel free to share this post with your friends.
