The rise of online casinos has been astonishing. From a niche corner of the internet in the 1990s, it has blossomed over the last couple of decades into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Major drivers behind this meteoric rise include accessibility and convenience, and the industry is largely powered by mobile-first approaches to gaming — mobile gaming itself is now recognised as a legitimate platform for online entertainment. But online casinos are also about lifestyle — a way to hustle from the comfort of your home or on the go on your phone. Let’s take a closer look.
Mobile-first approach
Check out any online casino and you’ll probably notice that they have a dedicated mobile app with which to play their games. That’s because the industry is largely driven by mobile players. This is an important aspect to the success of the industry at large — it means demographics who may know nothing about casino gambling are now getting down with the games. And the games themselves are developing rapidly in tandem with the powerful phones and tablets we carry with us. This mobile-first approach also opens the world of online casinos up to those without a computer, meaning that the craze has spread throughout diverse regions in Africa, Asia, and beyond.
A Lifestyle Change
More and more, we look to our phones for entertainment — the world has become more digital than ever. Gone are the days when you’d need to swoop into Vegas on a private jet to enjoy a weekend at the high-roller tables. Now, with the kind of mobile tech that provides such an immersive experience, you can get your digital hustle on remotely, enjoying a wealth of gaming options. The pandemic in 2020 provided a seismic shift towards the changing lifestyle of the average consumer, as well as showing industry operators that they had a massive audience to expand into. With VIP atmosphere and immersive gaming, SkyCity’s online casino, a New Zealand-based platform with certified credentials and real-time dealer games, brings that high-roller energy straight to your phone — no dress code, no velvet rope, just the pure vibes of a glamorous casino.
Cutting-Edge Games
We mentioned real-time dealer games — these are widely available for card games and on a flex on the roulette wheel, and provide unprecedented levels of immersion (one of the main buzzwords on the online casino scene) for players to experience. Slots are an evergreen popular option too, with maxed-out graphics, deeper gamification, and themes to suit anyone, from urban titles like Wild Streets through to ancient Egyptian games like Heart of Cleopatra, with just about everything you can think of in between. Once again, the games available are testament to the advancement of mobile technology and are responsible for the incredible rise of the online casino industry.
Generous Bonuses
One look at a list of operators will tell you one thing — bonuses are ubiquitous among online casinos, and some are pretty generous. There are special VIP bonuses for high rollers available, for those who want to splash the Benjamins. But there are also many other bonus options on offer, with the view to getting you playing quickly. New sign-up bonuses are common, with free spins or no-deposit bonuses designed to get you started without hassle, and to win back cash as soon as possible. It’s best to read the small print on these bonuses, however, some require a minimum spend or have other wagering restrictions you should know about before you start to play.
Widening Demographics
Mobile gaming has been accepted in the wider world of video games as a legitimate platform. Studies show that among millennials, mobile is, in fact, the most popular platform. This means that gaming as a whole has been opened up to vast swathes of people who would not usually play. And for online casinos, this also means whole new audiences, those who may never have been near a land-based casino are also exposed to poker, blackjack, roulette and slots, and are finding out just how much fun it is to play online.
The Future of Online Casinos
With the industry ranked at over $60 billion worldwide, and with no sign of abating growth, the future looks bright for online casinos. Expect to see ever deeper levels of immersion as operators and game developers experiment with emerging technologies to heighten the user experience, incorporating AR, VR, and elements of social media to broaden their reach yet further.
The online casino industry goes from strength to strength, driven by technological advancement as well as a young, savvy user base. No need to queue outside the velvet ropes anymore — the good vibes are just a click away.