Possible iGaming Trends in 2024

Think of the relationship between Virtual Reality (VR) and iGaming as a connection between two friends everyone knows will end up together. They are at the embryonic stage of that union - but the flirting between VR developers and the gaming industry is getting more intense of late.

As it is right now, the partnership is in its infancy. Only a few games have been created for the VR headset, with developers understandably cautious of treading the fine line between customer immersion and the prospect of facilitating the establishment of problem gambling behaviours. One can quickly see how an alternative casino reality could prove dangerous for a minority of players afflicted by addiction issues.

However, the uprising of the Metaverse and general technological advancements around VR means the opportunity for a partnership between game providers, online gambling operators, and VR developers is too good to be true.

Potential benefits include enhanced player engagement and a more realistic and interactive gaming experience from the comfort of a player's living room. Think the bustling noise of excited crowds, the lining up of symbols, and the ding, ding, ding of the jackpot bell blared through to a customer as they relaxed on the sofa.

Come the end of the year, might we expect some new VR games to hit some slot libraries?

Since the launch of Lightning Roulette by Evolution Gaming in 2018, we have seen an explosion in gameshow-style twists on classic live casino table games.

There is an increasing demand for new, interactive, and engaging forms of entertainment, as the industry's eyeballing of VR proves. Live Casino providers, headed by Evolution Gaming, seized on this demand, and there are now hundreds of options.

Typically, these games combine elements of traditional casino games with the excitement and thrill of a television game show.

Take Monopoly Live, for example. The game requires players to place bets on different segments on the wheel, each with a corresponding payout. These segments include 1, 2, 5, and 10 and the 2-Roll and 4-Roll bonus rounds. If the wheel lands on a number that a player has bet on, they win their initial bet multiplied by the corresponding payout.

In the bonus rounds, a virtual Monopoly board appears on the screen, along with Mr. Monopoly himself. The player rolls the dice two or four times, depending on the bonus round and moves around the board according to the total number of the two dice. Players collect cash prizes and multipliers along the way - the further they get around the board, the bigger the prizes get.

There are other examples, too, including Crazy Time, Crazy Pichinko, Red Door Roulette, and more.

In a recent company update, Todd Haushalter, Evolution's Chief Product Officer, confirmed some new games were coming. "The 2024 roadmap gives plenty of attention to the big three core games of Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, with innovations coming for each of these. We will also be launching new slot innovations, bonusing systems and new ways to play slots."

Keep your eyes peeled.

The cutting-edge nature of AI technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we engage with online casino platforms and services, particularly when it comes to personalization.

Such is the impact of AI on iGaming, that it deserves its list - here are five ways it can affect a player's individual experience.

1. Customized Recommendations: With AI, iGaming platforms can collect and analyze data to create personalized recommendations for each player based on preferences, previous gaming history, and even current mood.
2. Real-Time Adaptation: AI-powered systems can adapt to a player's real-time behaviour and interactions with the platform. That means enhancing a user's experience within the desktop or mobile site interface.
3. Personalized Bonuses and Rewards: By using AI, iGaming platforms can offer tailored bonuses and rewards to each player based on their gaming patterns and preferences.
4. Chatbots for Support: AI-powered chatbots are only going to get better as AI continues to learn. Responses will become more detailed, focused, and efficient than ever before.
5. Fraud Detection: Fraud is always a concern in iGaming. AI can help detect fraudulent activities and patterns to ensure a safe and secure gaming experience for players.

According to experts, the rapidly improving potential of worldwide 5G means its value will top out at $1.3 trillion by 2030. Mobile casinos and sportsbooks are among the hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries of improved connectivity.

You don't have to be a tech nerd to know that a 5G connection means lightning-fast speeds. The modern-day gamer can enjoy a seamless and uninterrupted experience on their mobile devices, with faster download and upload speeds. Ultimately, players can have quicker access to games, faster loading times, and less lag during gameplay thanks to 5G.

Gamification means incorporating game elements and mechanics into online gambling platforms, such as casinos or sports betting sites. It is proving to be a trend that has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many operators looking to enhance user engagement and retention.

It opens up a world of opportunity for online betting sites that can run exclusive competitions with massive prize pools.

Peer-to-peer betting is becoming increasingly popular in iGaming. Indeed, in April last year, Yahoo announced the acquisition of social betting app Wagr after the company raised U$12m in a Series A funding round last year.

Big corporations are recognising the desire of players to compete against one another.