It would have been hard to find someone who thought the then-casual casino sector would someday have an international commercial following. Surprisingly, that exactly is what is happening. And as the statistics have it, Statista measures today’s global casino industry at $305.8 billion, which is expected to grow even further in the future.
Well, anyone would definitely agree that online platforms and the popularity of the internet have played a great role in the growth of this sector. You can imagine the possibility of accessing entertainment anytime, anyplace, without worrying about your busy schedules, beating the traffic and so on. These are just a few ways in which the digital age has transformed the casino industry. Reading on, you will get more insights and stay ahead.
The power of convenience
Why do you think that, according to Yaguara, more than 2.64 billion individuals shop online? Well, it goes without saying that part of the reason is the convenience that comes with online platforms. And especially for those who operate on very tight schedules and can’t find enough time to visit land-based stores, online platforms can be very handy.
It is the same thing in the casino industry. Even if you are operating under such circumstances, you can now play at an online casino for real money without getting concerned about your schedule. Actually, most of these platforms operate 24/7, allowing you to play at any time, whether at midnight, in the morning or whatever time.
With the advancement of technology, quick feedback is even made possible. This was an edge land-based casinos had over online casinos. Now, though, innovations in live games allow players to play an online casino and interact with real dealers, thus bringing the action alive. And by the way, do you actually know that operators that offer instantaneous responses can greatly improve their performance, as 90% of customers love such experiences, according to HelpScout?
Accessing customer data
In the past, gathering sufficient customer information to drive insights was difficult. The available infrastructure then could not allow for that. For example, it was quite impossible to determine what specific time players loved to game as most traditional casinos operated at specific times, so players had to adjust to that. Plus, maybe most players could only make it to the gaming venues on weekends due to busy work schedules.
But with online platforms, things are quite different. At least you don’t have to wait for a weekend before you can play. As you interact with an online platform, operators can tell the time you frequently play, your gaming playstyles, and your preferred game types, among other things, in order to tailor your experience.
And in a world where finding games from the thousands of available variations, who would not want such an experience? Actually, several studies indicate that more than four in five customers love such encounters. It is, therefore, not surprising at all that Ninetailed found that companies that personalized experienced a rise of 10% to 15% in revenue. And that is why many operators are taking advantage of digital platforms to understand their customers more and provide goods that resonate with customer preferences.
Intuitive innovations
One of the reasons why many people turn to the casino industry is because of the industry’s innovative nature. How we would experience this entertainment about two decades ago is not the same as we do nowadays. For example, at the beginning of the 21st century, all you would do with an online game is interact with computer characters.
But the problem with that was that it lacked some level of emotional depth. Plus, one of the things that keeps us returning to land-based casinos is the social aspect of it. To cater to this need, developers have been turning to technology. Let us see how.
Increasing immersion
Imagine the possibility of mimicking a physical casino experience by simply putting on headsets that allow you to interact with other players and virtual dealers instantly. That way, you are able to explore virtual environments while engaging with lifelike avatars, making online gaming more immersive.
And this could actually be the reason why research bodies like Grand View Research expect the VR gambling sector to grow by a CAGR of more than twenty percent (22.7%) in the next few years.
Besides VR experiences, you will not fail to find games with high-tech graphics. This trend is common, especially in the slot genre, where it’s become possible to be highly diversified. Those who love slots with ancient themes can attest to this. Such games will often take advantage of visually engaging graphics to bring back memories of bygone eras as players spin the wheels.
What we are really trying to drive home in this discussion is how much the casino industry has changed. It might not have struck their imagination, as it were during the early years of the industry, what would become of this industry. But games nowadays give the players a bit of freedom concerning the timing; you do not need to be physically present to enjoy the entertainment.
All these have been made possible by recent tech advancements that have made it possible to mimic the physical casino experience. Well, for most players, a casino experience is never complete without captivating lights, sounds and patrons. And thanks to tech innovations, you can now find all of these on an online platform.