iGaming and online gambling have been around for a while, and the industry’s remarkable boom doesn’t seem to be slowing down — some forecast the online casino industry alone to be worth $150bn in 2024. Largely driven by the symbiosis of powerful yet affordable mobile hardware and the creative tools available to software developers, operators are keeping their clientele engaged with ever more immersive games, as well as breathing new life into old classics.
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2024 looks like it’ll be no different, with technology driving the industry forward, hybrid games enticing new players, and plenty more titles incorporating new themes, graphics, and gameplay.
New Twists on Old Classics
Bingo has made a major comeback on the scene in the last couple of years, moving from being a bottom-of-the-menu option in some online casinos to top billing at dedicated bingo sites. Once seen as a game for the older generations, with a long and storied history in British society, bingo was on the decline for decades after its heyday in the 1960s. However, the emergence of online bingo has drawn in new swathes of players from vastly different demographics, and its appeal should continue to broaden through 2024 with the launch of more hybrid games, such as Slingo and other hybrid options on offer. Slots themselves may well see a boost, as Big Time Gaming rolls out its new Megadozer mechanic.
Fans of bingo and its spin-offs can already find bingo slots for real money which incorporate many of the same style games as regular slots — you’ll find popular titles such as the Bonanza franchise, alongside options that take inspiration from the Ancient world, fishing, and classic video games like Space Invaders.
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AR and VR in 2024?
Immersion is the watchword whenever we talk about video gaming in general, and while consoles and PCs have adopted many aspects of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR and VR), online casinos and iGaming, in general, have been slower on the uptake. VR casinos are few and far between, but they are out there and offer probably the most immersive casino experience you can get without visiting a brick-and-mortar establishment. And AR’s potential, especially in live dealer games and slot machines, is obvious to everyone in the industry.
However, there are challenges surrounding these emerging technologies for iGaming operators. Developing AR / VR apps is much more expensive, despite the advances and legitimacy of mobile as a gaming platform. Part of the appeal of online gaming as a whole is the accessibility and flexibility it affords — we take our mobiles with us everywhere, but headsets and smart glasses are likely to stay at home. The other problem with VR casinos is that players are few and far between. But there are rumblings that a potential hookup with the metaverse will not only boost the number of players hitting the virtual casinos but will also enhance the social aspect of the experience.
No slowdown for the iGaming industry this year then, it seems. With new titles combining tried and tested classics and new, exciting technology, we can expect to see new games and features emerge which take advantage of the ever-advancing mobile devices in our pockets.
