Where is the Online Gambling Market Heading?
Posted by Harry Kane on Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Let’s start with a basic assertion; it is common knowledge that the online gambling market remains of the world’s true growth industries.
After all, the global value of this marketplace is now way in excess of $50 billion, while this number is set to rise sharply during the next decade and beyond.
While it may be an accepted fact that the market is growing at an unprecedented rate, determining the future course that the industry will take remains rather more challenging. Here, we will look at the future for the online gaming sector and the direction in which it will head: –
1. Tablet Gaming Will Take Hold
The development and sophistication of mobile gaming has been a key driver of growth within the sector, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. However, it is tablet gaming will become gradually more influential over the coming years, as dedicated devices and more graphically ambitious games have become increasingly commonplace.
The statistics seems to support this trend too, with tablet gaming revenues have enjoyed twice the growth of smartphones since 2014 and are set to achieve a total value of $13.3 billion by the end of 2019.
In the years ahead, we should expect to see the emergence of superior and dedicated gaming tablets, which offer larger, high-resolution displays the deliver a more immersive gaming experience. This is something that players will welcome, particularly as online casinos continue to develop more creative and complex titles.
2. The Rise of Skill-based Games
The gaming demographic has diversified significantly over time, with a the average online gambler now slightly older and female players increasingly prominent. This is creating a constant evolution in demand, prompting developers to create new games that are tailored to the contemporary marketplace.
More specifically, we are likely to see a rise in the number of skill-games available online in the years ahead. After all, the current market is saturated with popular but opportunistic games of chance (such as slots), and developing skilled iterations of these titles represents a logical step.
This will also create a broader range of games that will appeal to casual and serious players alike, strengthening the market and laying the foundations for more sustainable growth in the future.
3. Live and Real Money Games Will Soon be Omnipotent
In recent times, we have seen live and real money games take over the online gambling market. This trend has emerged as part of a wider move to bridge the gap between bricks-and-mortar and online gambling, as operators strive to replicate a corporeal experience in the virtual realm.
Soon, however, these types of game will be almost entirely omnipotent, as live and real money wagering combines to create a truly authentic and immersive experience for players.
This will driver further regulation in the marketplace, of course, while also altering the behaviour of players over time. Regardless, it will also help online operators to enhance their appeal and increase the amount that their customers spend with them.