In recent years, the online casino sector has boomed with more people than ever opting to play their favourite casino games online. Thanks to increased accessibility to such online games across the globe, alongside continually evolving technologies, the industry seems to keep on growing at a phenomenal rate.
According to statistics, the total gross yield for the gambling industry in Great Britain is currently £5.9 billion. The total number of gambling premises in 2021 was calculated at 9,036, which indicated a 10.8% increase when compared to 2020. This indicates the growing power of the online gambling industry as it continues to dominate the market.
Below, we’ll take a look at how attitudes towards online gambling are shifting and becoming more relaxed, in addition to the growing advancements of gambling technologies and specifically, the online slots scene in the UK.
New Attitudes Towards Online Gambling
Just a few years ago, attitudes towards online gambling across the world were dramatically different than they are today. The US had all but banned online gambling until recently when the law was overturned, putting jurisdiction in the hands of local states and creating new freedoms and possibilities for online gambling companies. In addition, Canada has also had a relatively strict stance on online gambling, with only providers registered within their local region being able to offer their services to Canadian citizens.
As for the UK, attitudes towards gambling are some of the most relaxed in the world. That being said, there are still many restrictions on marketing and gameplay in addition to local laws that prohibit certain types of activity or control it closely. The Gambling Act of 2005 is the main law which governs this type of activity, encompassing Online poker, sports betting, casino games, bingo, and lottery-style games.
Nevertheless, the UK has a thriving online gambling industry in which new online providers are popping up frequently. One of the most popular types of online gambling in the UK is online poker and online slots. As these games have evolved into an online offering, people from all walks of life are finding them more accessible. These games are now appealing to different socio-economic groups that never would have played such traditional casino games in a brick-and-mortar setting.
The Rise of Online Casino Gaming
As seen above, the physical decrease in gambling venues across the UK is a clear indicator of just how popular online gambling is becoming. But why? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons online casinos are so popular.
Accessibility
As 4G and 5G connectivity become more prevalent across the UK, and in fact on a global scale, more and more people have access to high quality internet where they can stream the latest games and media. In addition, as the cost of gadgets is slowly coming down, more people have access to high quality smartphones and tablets where they can play online casino games from anywhere, they like.
Whether it’s on the commute to work on the train, from a beach in the middle of the Caribbean or simply from the comfort of one’s sofa at home at 2am in the morning, consumers are able to access their favourite online casino games wherever and whenever they choose.
New technologies
The constant evolution of technology has meant that the online gambling industry has benefited significantly. As there is so much competition between online casino providers, it has become essential to continually innovate their service offerings in order to attract and retain customers.
Some of the latest technology themes we are seeing include VR headsets, live dealer poker, Augmented Reality, Crypto casinos and cloud streaming capabilities.
Online Slots
Online slot games are dominating the online gaming industry in which this specific sector of the industry is showing an incredible amount of innovation when it comes to gaming technologies. From themed slots that are based on popular tv shows and movies that draw in players, to retro slot games that play on nostalgia, online slot providers have really increased their potential in recent years.
In addition to this, smart new algorithms powered by machine learning and big data mean that slot games have become more interactive, fairer and with more favourable outcomes for players. As such, it can be incredibly difficult for players to choose which innovative gaming provider to go with, especially when there are so many new slot providers appearing on the market. However, review sites like Gambling.com are helping consumers to narrow down their options and find the best online slot sites by providing a list of the most recommended sites.
The Future of the Online Slot Market
As the online slot market continues to grow, we can expect to see more technology innovations impact this sector and enhance the slot game experience. However, recent changes in gambling legislations are also threatening to restrict the growth of the online slot sector as new rules are introduced.
Future restrictions on online slots could include a 2.5 second delay between spins, reduction in positive sounds that are associated with a loss, the removal of auto-play options that allow players to spin the slot machines automatically and on repeat, and the removal of reverse withdrawals.
Overall, the online casino sector in the UK is booming, in which it’s clear that UK consumers are now opting for online offerings compared to visiting a brick and mortar setting. As for the online slots sector, they are proving to be one of the most popular casino games out there and as new technology continues to innovate their offering, more and more people are choosing online slots as their game of choice. While restrictions are again looming in the background, only time will tell the success of the online slots industry.
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