3 Key Online Gambling Trends for 2017
Posted by Harry Kane on Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Online gambling represents one of the biggest growth industries in the modern age and one that continues to evolve in line with changing player behaviour and innovation. This means that every new year brings fresh and exciting trends, each of which will have a seminal impact on the market and its continued growth.
2017 will be no exception to this rule, with a number of exciting technologies poised to drive change in the market. This is without considering the potential impact of VR, which will become more commonplace in 2017 and create a wider range of immersive gambling experiences for players.
3 Key Online Gambling Trends to Look for in 2017
With this in mind, let’s take a look at three of the seminal trends that are likely to alter the course of online gambling and the market as a whole in 2017. These include:
1. The Line Between On and Offline Gambling Will Begin to Merge
In the battle between on and offline gambling platforms, there is only ever going to e one winner in the digital age. Land based casinos throughout the world are aware of this, which is why many are driving progressive change that has seen them incorporate online gambling elements within a bricks and mortar setting.
From the use of crypto-currency Bitcoin in certain locations to integrated video poker channels and the rise of eSports events in Las Vegas, land based casinos are increasingly keen to offer a cross-platform experience to players. Competitive eSports events will be particularly popular in 2017, with a wider number of online disciplines covered within the sector.
2. The Increased Use and Reliability of Bitcoin
While the aforementioned, crypto-currency Bitcoin may have experienced several peaks and troughs during the last nine years, stringent regulation and a number of strategic partnerships seem to have helped established it as a viable payment solution. The advanced, blockchain technology that underpins Bitcoin is also in vogue, creating a flexible and purposeful currency option that is perfect for the demands of online gaming.
Next year will see Bitcoin emerge as an increasingly common payment solution for online gamblers, particularly as the technology is refined and the limits gradually increased. After all, it has already helped to revolutionise the popular fantasy sports sector, by offering instant and secure payment options that can be kept separate from your primary bank and credit accounts. So, it is only a matter of time before it comes to dominate the online gambling industry.
3. Online Gambling Will Become Key Revenue Streams Within Mainstream Vehicles
If you look at mainstream, online games, they have become increasingly lucrative through the adoption of a freemium business model. Take the League of Legends, for example, which commanded a global audience of 14 million back in 2015 and continued generate income through advertising, endorsements and virtual product sales.
This trend will continue to grow and diversify in 2017, while online gambling will also become an independent generator of income within mainstream gaming titles. We have already seen this in the highly anticipated GTA 5 Online: DCL, which included three gambling modes that enables players to compete for money in real-time. This is the type of lucrative partnership that will thrive in 2017, so watch this space for further developments within the sector!