Social media, superfast internet connections and cheap phone contracts have meant that mobile phones are the only devices many of us use to conduct our social lives.
Businesses that have found their niche online have had to adapt to the changes that mobile phones have continuously spawned since the early 2010s. It’s undeniable just how much smartphones have changed how we live our lives.
As they continue to enact even greater societal changes, casino companies have been among the thousands of businesses that have had to try and implement changes so they don’t get left behind.
Online casinos – a modern-day success story
Digital casinos have highlighted just how much appetite there is on a global scale for convenient and seamless gaming.
Roulette and slot machine gaming haven’t had to change one iota to continue their success online; the only prerequisite is that they operate on secure sites with the appropriate technology that ensures all bets are paid out correctly.
Considering the whole multibillion-dollar industry essentially hinges on the effectiveness of in-game technology, there has been, and continues to be, tens of millions of dollars invested in every corner of the casino sector to ensure that this technology remains as quick and efficient as possible.
Sweepstakes casinos
It’s not just classic casinos that have carved out an enormous chunk of the market for themselves; with more interest than ever in how the industry operates, sharp minds are always thinking of ways for casinos to generate more money.
Sweepstakes casino games are another example of the ingenuity of those who design online casino platforms, as they remove real money wagers, allowing you to use tokens, gold coins or whatever the on-site currency may be to place your casino bets.
You can expand your knowledge about an array of casino games, whether it’s poker, blackjack or roulette, and by using these in-game currencies, you don’t have to be concerned about monetary loss.
Sweepstakes casino games are often referred to as social casino games. Although many of them will have a social element, there are other factors and more literal social components that have resulted in online casinos becoming more social than ever.
In-game chats
With so many Hollywood films depicting the cool mystique of a casino floor and some of the greatest directors of all time taking a shot at encapsulating the notable aura of such establishments, bottling this atmosphere and repackaging it successfully online is a billion-dollar challenge for many online casinos.
The sharp dialogue between some of our favorite characters and their high-roller dealers in these Hollywood classics, or even a busy night in a bustling casino, provide an atmosphere that digital casinos aren’t able to replicate accurately.
Although online casinos have made their own inroads in this endeavor and have had some success, there’s still a noticeable difference.
When online casinos really picked up the pace around the mid-noughties, they were fairly rudimentary designs compared to what we see today.
Even slot games had primary reels, and the mechanics of table-based games merely ensured the basics were covered. Whether you play on a mobile app or via your desktop, the number of choices you now have available as a casino gamer is plentiful.
Interacting with dealers and other players
As the industry began to get more crowded, casino companies opted to try and find ways in which they could continue to close the gap between land-based enterprises and digital casinos.
Live dealers interacting with those placing a bet online have helped to give off the aura of a land-based casino. While it might not be entirely authentic, it is one element that has added another dimension to social casino designs.
In addition, the emergence of live chat has enabled a smoother, more natural flow of conversation – not just between dealers and players but also among players who are at the same table. Some casinos even allow webcam links or recorded voice notes that enable players to have conversations with each other while at the table.
Hands-on reviewers
Media has entered a golden age, with YouTube, TikTok and Instagram all providing multiple avenues for reviewers to review casinos, with screenshots and live-screen recordings. Many people use social media and vlogging for an extra bit of side income and as a way to generate a passive income stream.
In the early days of online casino gaming, reviews were exclusively written and published by specific sites, but there has since been an emergence of more interactive, hands-on reviews, cultivating discussion, opinion and streams of comments and videos about the same topics.
So, while this might not be a direct example of how social online casinos have become, it shows that even the derivative markets are now more engaged, becoming more social as a result of various social media channels now offering a platform for reviews, both positive and negative.
Conclusion
Breaking down the barriers that have previously stopped online casino players from being able to interact mid-game or on casino platforms is another step in the right direction for digital casinos, as they aim to make their services a one-stop shop, ahead of the land-based competition.
They’ve already eclipsed brick-and-mortar venues with various games and new ways to play them, providing a more secure and convenient alternative.
However, the last bastion for them to conquer is the social element. Although they haven’t taken a backward step in this regard, there is still much to do before they can boast a similar social offering to land-based casinos.
While online casinos are undeniably becoming more social, and operators continue to progress in bridging the gap, there’s still a long way to go. As the market becomes more competitive, any unique angle could be a money-spinning idea.
Some online casino operators believe this niche could be in payment methods or specific types of games; many believe it’ll be in finding a way to take the social element to the next level.
Although development has been relatively slow, online casinos are continuing to grow every year in a variety of ways, and with the resultant profit come bigger and bolder ideas. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before online casinos provide a suitable social alternative and take a bigger chunk of land-based casino business.
Comply with the varying local laws and regulations for online casinos, as they differ across regions and countries.