Online casinos are big business and because the industry is a considerable multi-billion dollar powerhouse, we see regular and ongoing changes across the industry.
We naturally see a crossover between technological advancements and one of the world’s most significant entertainment industries, while governments and regulatory bodies struggle to keep up with the pace of these changes, leading to updates and changes in regulations across the board. 2025 will continue to follow these trends with particular attention on AI and VR as well as blockchain and web 3.0 iGaming.
Casino Bots
Casino bots are small pieces of software that are deployed via Telegram as well as other apps including Discord. Users can effectively send texts to the bots to place bets and report on wins and losses. These bots are quick and easy to use, as well as very convenient because they operate from within channels that a lot of players already use. Telegram, Discord, and other so-called super apps continue to gain popularity and, as they do so, so too do bots and in-app apps. This will continue to see a rise in casino bots in 2025.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games have been around for a few years. The advancement in Internet connection speeds, especially mobile speeds, means they are more viable than ever. Dealers are streamed live to casino apps and websites, enabling players to place bets and watch results exactly as they would in physical casinos.
The experience is more immersive, which means greater enjoyment for players and more spending for the casinos. 5G will continue to roll out in 2025, while full fiber will continue its expansion in countries around the world, which means live dealer games will become ubiquitous within the industry.
VR Casinos
Virtual Reality is another area of technology that continues to gain prominence, although it has taken some time to really gain traction. It is another way that casinos can enhance interactivity and immersion, while it can also be used to further improve the social aspect of online casinos.
It has proven difficult to emulate this element of retail casinos, with leaderboards and badges not really creating the same feelings. VR headsets from companies like Apple, HTC, Sony, Meta, and Valve, as well as lower costs, mean that virtual reality is finally becoming more mainstream. There are scant few VR casinos currently on the market, but we can expect to see the number increase in the coming year.
Blockchain Gaming
Blockchain technology that underpins cryptocurrency but it is more than this. It is effectively a digital ledger and can be used to store all transactions made through and by casinos.
It can offer transparency, and enhance trust between casinos and players, and it can, of course, be used to facilitate faster, cheaper, borderless transactions. Bitcoin casinos have already become popular and we will see more crypto casinos introduced this year, as well as, potentially, some iGaming-specific cryptocurrencies.
Market Expansion
The iGaming market is big business. The UK and, more recently, the US, are among the biggest markets in the world, but the landscape is changing. New markets are coming online, including Brazil. Brazil has undergone several regulatory changes and with a population of more than 200 million people, it is considered a largely untapped market with massive potential.
2025 will see more iGaming sites and online casinos attempt to break into this market. But Brazil won’t be the only market that expands, with Asian markets likely to see considerable growth in 2025, too.
Regulatory Changes
One of the reasons that we are likely to see more online casinos reaching the Brazilian market is a marked change in regulations within the nation. It has taken a long time for some countries and regulatory bodies to catch up with the rapid march of the Internet and, specifically, online gambling, but most countries have become more aware.
More and more states in the US are legalizing online gambling in different forms while various other markets are seeing similar changes. Those markets that have regulated online casinos also continue to tweak and change their regulatory framework and this is a trend that will continue this year and in coming years.
Greater Retention Efforts
First deposit bonuses, free spins for new players, and most other casino bonuses have long been geared toward attracting new players. But, as the market has matured, bonuses have started to evolve, too.
Now, many players are already online playing their favorite casino games, and this has seen a lot of casinos shift their attention, or at least divert a little of their attention, toward retention, rather than acquisition. 2025 will continue to see the expansion of loyalty and VIP programs as well as the introduction of other bonuses specifically designed to retain players.
