Compared to brick-and-mortar casinos, gambling online remains in its infancy. Nevertheless, it has saved many operators from crippling losses in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions.
Competition in the industry is fierce, and operators seek to keep ahead of others to attract new clients and retain existing ones. The answer is using the latest technological advances to ‘raise their game’. Here are the prevailing trends:
Blockchain technology
Users are reluctant to do transactions online because they must divulge confidential information and details to do so. Blockchain technology makes it safer for them to release this data while facilitating smoother, faster transactions. It includes complete anonymity as users’ details are not transferred to financial institutions and other intermediary companies.
Live casinos
When asked what U.S. consumers want from an online casino, one thing quickly became apparent. People want to play live casino games, such as baccarat, blackjack, and poker against other players.
Operators who have taken advantage of this notion by bringing an element of virtual reality to their games have seen a surge in users. The added engagement brought on by a live casino experience brings it as close to a traditional brick-and-mortar casino scenario as possible.
Collaboration
Online gambling is in higher demand than ever before, with many US states looking to legalize it while others reach the implementation phase. Operators are networking to work together while creating these facilities for users. A recent example would be the collaboration between Pennsylvania online casino giant, Parx, with Gun Lake Casino in Michigan.
Mobile technology
Online gambling sites have been working tirelessly to ensure that players experience the same service quality, whether they use a desktop computer or cellphone.
Based on current trends, there is a need to optimize sites for mobile use as more people have access to smartphones than computers. Additionally, mobile-friendly sites make it easier for people to place bets no matter where they are. It’s been a while since you’ve done a lot more than adding music to your playlist on your cell phone.
Marketing approaches
Market research indicates that there are untapped demographics for online casinos to target as part of their marketing campaigns. Armed with this information, casino operators are looking for new ways to attract new audiences to use their services. There is also much focus on the rise of eSports and how to incorporate it into their offerings.
Incentivizing
What separates online casinos from their land-based counterparts is that they can offer bonuses to distinguish themselves from competitors. Most have welcome bonuses for first-time users, designed to make them return to the site. Existing users are not left out either, as exciting, regular bonuses help retain their patronage and create customer loyalty.