As technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds, its wind-in-the-sails effect on the local online casino industry is more than palpable. What can we expect in the near future and what are the online casino industry trends that we should look out for in 2021?
The online casino market in Canada has grown from strength to strength over the past two decades. Favourable local market conditions have spurred on this phenomenal growth. According to research, around 80% of all Canadians regularly participate in some form of wagering.
Online casinos in Canada offer a convenient way for gamblers to have fun, blow some steam off, and take home the winnings if lucky enough. There are many games to enjoy, from card games like blackjack and poker to roulette and the mandatory slots.
Growth of the Online Casino Industry
The expansive rise of the online casino industry has been mirrored by just as rapid technological advancements made over the last couple of years. Everything from cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, to artificial intelligence and virtual reality, is being roped in to improve the user experience.
To retain their spot as best online casinos in Canada and position themselves ahead of the pack, online casino operators have had to adapt to the end user’s rapidly changing requirements and expectations. As more players continue to penetrate the market, competition is bound to get even more fierce.
According to statistical data, it is estimated that the industry’s annual growth rate will be close to 15%, between now and the year 2025. With technological innovations, more people than ever will be exploring all that online casinos have to offer.
2021 Online Casino Trends
With 2021 here, it’s worth analysing the potential technological trends that are expected to impact the online casino industry. Here are the three most significant advancements that you should be on the lookout for:
1. Blockchain Technology
The era of cryptocurrencies and blockchains is upon us, and these technologies have been receiving added attention in recent times. To sum it up, blockchains provide information recording using a relatively secure framework that operates through a decentralised database. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, are underpinned by blockchains, allowing for the execution of safe online transactions.
There is a growing list of online casinos using blockchains to innovate and improve new transactions and gaming processes. For example, blockchains such as Ethereum are used to make predictions.
Other online casinos have been embracing cryptocurrencies, with some mandating that these be the only means of payment on their platforms. Many online casinos continue to add cryptocurrencies to their payment options in response to growing demand.
2. The Flexibility of 5G Technology
It’s been just over a decade since the then ground-breaking 4G technology was released, allowing mobile casinos to fundamentally up their game. 4G significantly reduced loading times and allowed for more dynamic and visual casino experiences.
More recently, 5G has been gradually rolled out in several countries, allowing internet speeds to reach up to 10 gigabits per second. The benefit of this is that live-streamed games like blackjack and poker will become much more seamless on mobile.
Better bandwidths and speeds are expected to contribute to advanced social interaction, with players expected to video call into live games. 5G will also make virtual reality (VR) technology even more usable on mobile devices, with large-scale VR game releases expected in the months ahead.
3. Cloud-Based Gaming Platforms
Online casinos are renowned for their convenience, offering players the option to play from their laptop or mobile device without downloading any software. However, cloud-based platforms could further enhance the user experience by providing device interchangeability.
This will allow players to start a game on their laptop and continue it on their tablet or phone, while on the go. This feature will allow online casinos to keep up with the demands of their increasingly tech-savvy clientele. It’s been predicted that a quarter of all developers will use serverless technology by year’s end.
With all the expected technological innovations, 2021 is going to be an exciting year for the industry. Continuous enhancements in user experience will lead to an augmented service offering. And, with that, added competition and choice for the end-users.
