Online casinos have grown significantly over the last decade, not just in terms of revenue and market size, but also in the quality of services that they offer. The technology associated with online casinos has increased rapidly, making sure that players continue to visit the sites, even as new ones pop up on the market. We’ve taken a look at some of the most important tech advances of recent times, as well as some that could be coming along in the near future.
Internet security
Internet security is vital when using a site that includes payment methods. Internet security has increased drastically over the last 20 years, with sites now having security in place that’s on a par with that offered by banks. When you’re playing at a top online casino, you know that the security in place will ensure that your details are kept safe.
Some of the most prominent security methods include SSL certification, captchas and two-factor authentication.
SSL certification is a method of encryption that makes sure that all incoming and outgoing connections are fully encrypted. It means that if hackers get hold of your information from an online casino, it is fully encrypted and therefore useless. This protects player data and makes sure that users are not at risk of a data breach.
Captchas and two-factor authentication ensure that it’s genuinely you trying to log into the site, rather than malicious robots or people who have managed to steal your login information.
In addition, regulated sites can only make payments to the registered player. So, even if the hacker could get into the casino account, they wouldn’t be able to get access to the player’s money as it can only be sent directly to the player’s bank account.
It doesn’t end there either. New security protocols are being developed all the time, which ensures that casinos continue to provide a safe place to play long into the future.
Livestreaming
Livestreaming has allowed online casinos to create one of the world’s most immersive casino game experiences. The use of livestreaming technology has meant that casino games can be played in the home with a live dealer at any time. It means that players can no longer feel aggrieved by the way that the algorithm deals cards for blackjack or how the wheel spins for roulette. A real-life dealer carries out these tasks, with software carrying out any background work to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Players that prefer the real-life flavour from a casino can access it without ever leaving their house. It’s undoubtedly one of the most significant innovations in recent times, and the addition of game show-style games has just taken things to the next level.
Blockchain technology
The blockchain is one of the biggest steps forward in technology over the last 10 years, not just for the online casino world but also for the world in general. It doesn’t do it justice when people talk about cryptocurrency, as this is just a tiny part of what it has to offer. It has the potential to revolutionize the casino industry over the next few years.
The first way that this is possible is through the new provably fair casino games that are being created. These use the blockchain to send hashes over, and from there, each game can be proven to be behaving fairly. There are already a number of these available at online casinos, and it’s likely that as blockchain tech becomes more accessible and popular, this number will increase over the next five years.
The blockchain could also offer the potential for new forms of casino games in the future, especially as there are already some games out there that provide a slight deviation from the usual casino offerings. An excellent example of this would be gambling games where players have to bet on how far a rocket will fly before it crashes.
The way that the blockchain has revolutionized payments is also a significant point. Players can make payments using crypto much faster and with lower fees than traditional payment methods. There is also the potential for higher security measures to be in place as long as players use their crypto sensibly and safely.
Finally, there is the possibility for future developments with blockchain tech. It has been mooted that the blockchain could be used to create a complete online casino environment. This would be a form of virtual real estate where the casino is hosted, and then players would be able to access everything that they need easily. From here, it could theoretically create a virtual version of some of the world’s most famous casinos. Imagine going around the Bellagio from the comfort of your own home – the blockchain makes this a possibility.
Virtual reality (VR)
This is something that has been spoken about many times over the years. There was a time in the 1990s when people genuinely believed that VR would be the next big thing in all forms of gaming. Unfortunately, it wasn’t able to deliver what it promised, and it fell behind other gaming solutions. However, it has had a slight renaissance over the last few years.
Oculus Rift is perhaps the most well-known VR solution aimed at providing affordable and easy-to-use VR gaming. Some VR casino games are available on the market, but they are currently few and far between. If VR is able to make its way into the majority of homes over the next few years, then it could end up as the next big step for casino gaming. This is especially the case if it’s combined with blockchain tech to offer a true virtual casino experience.
