More people are engaging in exciting online casino games than ever. Whether it is table games like poker and blackjack, progressive slots and video game slot machines, or live dealer games, players can have Las Vegas Strip games at their fingertips.
The other push driving demand with social casinos is that more gamblers enjoy sports betting online. Examples include the World Series, NBA finals, and the Super Bowl leading to billions of dollars in online bets for social casinos and sportsbooks which we will explore.
Enticing VR environments are coming.
Because a large part of the online experience is consumer expectations, expect to see more Virtual Reality (VR) in the form of headsets.
Online players can access virtual reality casinos to walk-through Vegas strip-style environments and play their favorite slot and table games. However, VR headsets require the user to have a VR headset like Meta Quest 2, Sony Playstation VR, HTC Vive Pro 2, or Oculus Rift. They must partner with a computer with enough RAM to offer 3D gaming capabilities and HD graphics.
While this game-changing technology immerses players in virtual casino environments, it is still new, and sites that offer it might still need to accept real money betting.
Eventually, enhancements will include more stunning graphics that let players select high-quality games. Players will gamble with play money in demo mode or for internet casino real money cash prizes, but for now, some of the casino graphics look more like cartoons.
The future graphics will be more realistic, with slot machine sounds and people cheering in the background.
There will also be more facial recognition capabilities. As an atmospherically on-point example, check out Call of Duty: Vanguard or Company of Heroes 3. With live interactions possible, players can talk with other gamblers, casino hosts, and dealers. With avatars, they can walk into and out of virtual casinos, bet on sporting events, and sit at table games. However, in the future, the graphics will be more realistic.
In time, players can use VR headsets to view live Vegas shows, fun casino tournaments, and eSports events anywhere they have the internet.
Marketing and Security are Shifting with the Use of AI.
As more people visit social casino sites online, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is crucial to enhancing player preferences, improving player security and protection, and providing custom experiences.
Casino operators can now send out targeted ad campaigns for how players visit their sites and the games they prefer. Hence the battle of sales versus marketing departments is becoming obsolete. AI programs can collect player data, help players securely place their bets, process all payments, and provide player privacy.
Expect to see more AI usage to predict player preferences and refine ads based on gameplay.
Separately, with the competitive online casino landscape, players will find more bonus offers and promotions to attract them to the sites. AI will even help with player preferences if they see slot games with higher returns, for example. Hence, the casino site can present them with a streamlined list of verified games with high RTP rates.
Additional incentives include flexible payment options (traditional currencies, cryptocurrencies, digital wallets).
As AI oversees cybersecurity measures, it will also reduce fraud incidents, theft, hacking incidents, players using illegal or fake credentials, and cheating.
With the latter, some gamblers are using AI to cheat the house. Hence, new AI detection software will uncover unfair play when casinos do not use random number generators or if players cheat based on specific patterns.
Consumer Demand is Increasing with Social Games.
With a market segmented by free online games and paid wired games, consumer behavior in the online gaming market has shifted dramatically in the past few years.
Online social casino games started gaining popularity when Covid-19 led to social distancing and shutdowns. As more people worked from home, they played games online via laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Despite social distancing rules lifting, more people are playing online recreationally.
The increase in players is due to eSports overseas and the uptick in sports betting in the US. Hence, mobile phones are like mini computers that connect players with Vegas-style casinos and sports betting action.
Because players can connect with other players on social media, they rely on their phones for sporting event updates, casino tournament details, and even casino cash offers for new and returning players.
Social casino key players include Caesars Entertainment Corp., Zynga, Inc., Ellmount Gaming, Ltd., My Chance, MYB Casino, Scientific Games Corp., and International Game Technology (IGT).
Wrap Up
The popularity of online social casino games is expanding thanks to social media sites and new advancements in smartphones and computer technology. Expect AI to play a role in marketing, payments, and security, while VR headsets provide more immersive experiences.
The online casino environment is entering an exciting stage for gamblers. The features mentioned above will let players enjoy hours of gameplay in Vegas-like casinos, whether on their smartphones, tablets, computers, or headsets!
