How do Gadgets Enhance the Online Gambling Experience?

Posted by Harry Kane on Thursday, November 12, 2020

The iGaming market in the UK represents huge business, with this fast-growing entity now accounting for a staggering 38.6% share of the overall gambling industry.

The rise of online gambling has been particularly pronounced during the last decade, and there can be no doubt that this has been partially empowered by sustained innovation in the world of gadgets and accessories.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the gadgets that have enhanced the virtual gambling experience over the course of the last few years!

1. Smartphones, Smartphones, Smartphones

We’ll start with smartphones, which have helped to revolutionise the iGaming space and make mobile gambling a dominant driver of revenue for operators in the UK.

Make no mistake; this is a clear and definitive trend, with an estimated 51% of all online gambling revenue generated through smartphones and tablets in 2018. This was the first time that mobile gambling revenues broke the 50% barrier, while the figures also highlighted a whopping 18% increase over the period dating back to 2012.

This is also part of a wider trend of exponential mobile penetration in the UK, and while you may not think of your smartphone as a gadget, it’s one that has had a dramatic impact on how and when people wager their hard-earned cash.

This has also influenced both individual operators and game developers, the former of which have focused heavily on creating responsive mobile sites that can accessed seamlessly on the move.

A growing number of apps are also designing and launching native apps specifically for download on iOS and Android devices, in order to cater from the growing number of mobile players in the UK market.

Even the operators that don’t haven’t developed native apps have optimised their platforms for mobile devices through the principles of responsive design, while the evolution of HTML5 technology has allowed for a generation of casino games that can be played across all devices.

Of course, smartphones can also be used to help aid the typical online gambling experience in other ways. For example, most handsets now feature calculators, which provide a handy tool through which you calculate the impact of your wagering requirements and manage your bankroll in real-time.

2. Remote Controls for Poker

A quick glance at online gambling statistics in the UK confirms that poker is a declining vertical, with this accounting for around 5% of the total iGaming yield (slots currently dominate this sector with a total contribution of just under 70%).

However, poker retains a cult following in the region, which is why there remains a strong demand for dedicated remote controls that allow for a more immersive experience when playing a specific poker iteration.

The main advantage of using this neat gadget is that you’re able to place bets on games even if you’re not in the online poker room, which is great if you’re a casual player with a penchant for multi-tasking.

With this type of controller, you can access the game remotely using a Wi-Fi connection, before using the dials to establish the size and nature of your wager. The relatively independent nature of this controller even means that you can access games without your main device being switched on, nor do you need to be navigating your chosen casino site at the time.

What’s more; you can access unique remote controls for iOS and Android devices, which enables you to invest in a tailored gadget that helps to optimise your online experience regardless of your own circumstances.

3. Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets

The emergence of virtual reality (VR) is arguably the single biggest trend in the iGaming space, with this technology having become increasingly affordable since 2018 as it has inched towards the consumer mainstream.

We’ve also seen a growing number of VR headsets designed for mobile use and devices, including the popular Samsung Gear. As a general rule, these headsets offer users access to an immersive three-dimensional experience across a range of entertainment verticals, although it appears to have become increasingly popular in the wider gaming realm.

In the case of online gambling, there’s a sense that VR represents the final frontier in the evolution of the marketplace, with this innovation capable of bridging the once cavernous gap between corporeal and virtual casino gameplay.

With a VR headset, you can effectively create a 3D casino environment on the move or in your own home, as you look to mingle with interactive dealers (who already exist on most live casino platforms) and travel between different tables as you would in a brick-and-mortar establishment.

This undoubtedly represents big business in the digital age, as you’d expect from an innovation that has the potential to revolutionise the iGaming market in the near-term.

This is borne out by the numbers, which suggest that the value of bets made through VR gambling will peak at a staggering $520 billion by 2021, with this representing an 800% increase over this year’s humble beginnings.

When using a VR headset, you’ll essentially view your chosen casino platform as a corporeal, 3D location. With this in mind, you’ll be able to see the entire casino floor and a vast array of tables, while you’ll also notice authentic audio effects such as the ambient noise and machine sounds that you’d expect at any gambling hub.

In some cases, you may even be able to interact with other players (as well as the dealers) as you traverse the casino floor, with this likely to fill one of the biggest and most obvious voids when playing at an online casino in 2020.

The Last Word

These gadgets represent just the tip of the iceberg in this marketplace, with other popular examples even including a card-counting app for blackjack players!

While these aren’t necessarily as effective as they’re made out to be, there’s no doubt that you can access a huge range of iGaming gadgets that impact directly on your experience and even provide much-needed support when you wager in real-time.

The key is to compare the marketplace depending on what you need and the type of games that you prefer, before reviewing the available prices and getting the best bang for your buck!