If there’s one thing that’s a constant in the casino industry, then it is change. What began about three decades ago as simple web pages with a handful of slots and clunky card games has turned into a rapidly growing tech-driven entertainment system. And this comes at a time when modern players demand more than just convenient access to games.
Good enough, operators have been adjusting by providing relevant experiences that match modern gambling preferences. Take, for instance, the growing need for more realistic play. Thanks to advanced visuals and graphics, operators now provide slot games with interactive storylines and engaging sound effects that make every spin feel like a real adventure. And with features like the Nolimit City demo emerging, those interested in such titles can sample story-rich games for free before committing real money.
That makes the experience feel more like exploring a new world than simply placing a bet. As a result, the online casino industry has evolved into a global phenomenon. Data from Grand View Research shows it has already hit $19.11 billion, and it could balloon to $38 billion by 2030. But how precisely does this industry continue to reinvent itself to align with the needs of the modern-day gambler?
Providing hybrid experiences
As already mentioned, one of the popular trends in this industry is the rise of live dealer games. In fact, according to igamingbusiness.com, live casinos account for almost half of the market share in some regions. Another publication by the decentralized data management platform D:SWARM values the live casino market volume at $3 billion and expects it to grow at a 10% annual rate through 2027.
By making it possible to stream live dealers from studios, operators have transformed solitary play into a shared experience. After all, humans are social beings, and the ability to chat with dealers turns a simple gambling session into something more alive and interactive. And when players find such experiences, they tend to become loyal and even share those moments with friends, organically pulling more people into the ecosystem.
In addition to providing more realistic play, operators are catering to people’s innate sense of achievement through gamification. Think of it as adding a layer of challenge and progression to what used to be a purely transactional activity. Features like leaderboards and daily missions now provide players with goals to strive for, extending beyond just spinning reels. For entertainment consumers, especially video gamers looking to explore casino games, the ability to track their progress and pursue milestones can really be helpful.
Meeting the growing demand for personalization
Do you know that, according to Contentful, over seven in ten customers now expect to receive personalized experiences? If they don’t, up to 76% may get frustrated. Of course, you are aware of the consequences of frustrating a customer. They may decide to switch to competitors, especially now that many casinos are vying for their attention. And since competitors are just a few taps away, it makes sense to see operators invest heavily in understanding users’ unique preferences.
Using machine learning models, these operators analyze play patterns to personalize game suggestions and even risk controls. Once a player logs into a platform, they leave behind a trail of data points, including:
- Games played
- Session length
- Bet sizes
- The time of day they prefer to play
And you definitely expect an industry worth over $19 billion to have significantly varying customer preferences. However, with this data, operators can differentiate between players who prefer high-stakes games and long sessions and those who log in for quick spins. As such, segmenting users allows casinos to provide targeted offers and game recommendations that cater to each type of player.
When it comes to risk control, casual gamblers may receive nudges to keep play light and fun, whereas high-stakes players might see personalized limits. And it doesn’t just end there – casinos are personalizing marketing communications to make them feel even more relevant. That’s why, if you’re a casino player, you may have encountered promotions tied to your favorite game.
Catering to mobile users
At a time when over 96% of the internet population uses smartphones to go online, you don’t want to have a poorly optimized mobile website. And this doesn’t matter whether you operate in the casino or any other sector; modern consumers all across expect fast and seamless mobile experiences.
Without a mobile-friendly platform, you may hurt a good number of them and even cause them to never return. Imagine the pain of losing up to 88% of consumers, who, according to UXCam, may never come back after just one negative web experience. Well, that’s a significant loss for any operator, which is why online casinos are doubling down on responsive design. With responsive design, developers can now tailor games for small screens without compromising the visual flair or interactivity of desktop versions.
Responsive apps and websites are also fast. They improve load speed by serving smaller image files for mobile devices and loading content only when it’s needed, which significantly reduces the amount of data transferred and processed. According to Shopify, when a page takes between one and three seconds to load, the chance of a visitor leaving rises by 32%. But since responsive platforms improve website speed, casinos can keep players engaged while ensuring the experience remains smooth, even on smaller devices.
In other words, today’s operators have realized the secret of remaining relevant is being customer-focused. That’s why many of them have integrated live dealer titles, personalization and responsive designs into their platforms.
This article was written in cooperation with BAZOOM