Where are We at with iGaming in 2019?

Even if you’re not a regular player, it’s been almost impossible not to notice the rapid growth of online casinos, sports bookmakers and gaming websites over the past few years.

According to Statista.com, the size of the iGaming industry is set to double over the next five years – with an estimated value of £72 billion by the year 2020. Of course, you don’t need to see the stats to know that the presence of online casinos is going through the roof. A quick glance at the number of TV commercials and online ads is enough to know that the industry is booming right now.

Competition is fiercer than ever, which has led to massive amounts of investment in new technologies, platforms and hosting solutions. With companies each trying to gain and protect a competitive edge over their counterparts, it’s no real surprise that iGaming has become a prime testing ground for VR, AR, cryptocurrencies, live streaming and artificial intelligence.

The sky really is the limit in terms of just how immersive our online gaming experience can be, and 2019 is shaping up to be another year of rapid development across the board. Here are a few keys areas to keep an eye on.

eSports


IMG_7540” (CC BY 2.0) by ybbuc

Popular titles like Fortnite, Overwatch and Dota 2 continue dominating the market, with new competitions and tournaments popping up, all over the world it seems. The latest Dota 2 international invitation broke the record for the most lucrative total prize pool – a massive $24.8 million was on offer for all those taking part.

Yet we can also expect a wealth of new titles to carve their way into the market. Games like Apex Legends are still relatively new, which offers hope for budding eSports professionals looking to develop their skills quickly and earn a place among the world’s elite. All this increased interest and exposure for eSports has meant that bookmakers have been increasingly investing in the eSports genre in the past year, offering betting markets and even sponsoring teams.

Slots, slots, slots


Loose Slots” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by www.davidbaxendale.com

The immersive world of online slots is proving to be one of the fastest growing areas of the iGaming industry – and that means plenty of investment in new technology. Providers are now prepared to invest more in titles that have been developed using HTML5, allowing much more agility and simplicity when enabling players to enjoy their favourite games on whatever device or platform they have to hand.

There’s actually so much choice out there that it’s difficult to know exactly which sites are better than others.  That’s why dedicated review sites like bonussource.com are on hand to help players uncover the best sign-up offers, bonuses and bargains currently available. It’s worth taking a look before you commit to joining one particular slots provider.

Live-streaming the classics


Paf Poker Challenge Final Table Winner 2” (CC BY 2.0) by Paf – games sport casino

Most online casino players take their pick between a few classic games, with poker, blackjack and roulette still ranking among the most popular options. Yet while the typical rules and basic gameplay remain the same, there’s been plenty of change in terms of making the gaming environment more immersive.

Live-streaming technology has proven to be a gamechanger for popular casino games, allowing players to log in and join a real-life table from the comfort of their own sofa. HD-quality streams and an instant chat function have certainly helped create a much more sociable environment than what was previously possible.

Progress is so fast within the iGaming industry that it’s almost certain we’re going to see a wide range of tweaks and improvements over the coming years. It will be exciting to see just how immersive we can get!