The Rise of iGaming in North America
Since early 2014, iGaming, also known as online gambling, has become legal in three US states. For centuries, people have been playing card games and other games of chance that risk real money in a bid to win even more money. However, online casinos are giving traditional casino gamblers the opportunity to play – and hopefully win – more often from the comfort of their own homes. The iGaming sector has experienced huge growth worldwide in the last decade. According to Statista, the depth of the iGaming sector could be worth $60 billion by the turn of 2020.
In North America, there are certainly signs that iGaming is becoming adopted on a widespread scale. The state of New Jersey generated $22 million in iGaming revenue in February 2018. Meanwhile the bricks-and-mortar Golden Nugget casino have begun to stream live dealer table games directly from its own casino floor, available 24/7 for players around the world. It’s that immediacy and engagement that is putting the land-based casino industry at risk of being left in the shade by their digital counterparts.
More states in North America are likely to take a leaf out of the book of New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada to offer iGaming to their residents. It’s also worth considering the rise of iGaming in Canada and the way in which government-operated iGaming such as lotteries generated millions of dollars in revenue for the state each year. Canada also welcomes international iGaming brands that operate under strict jurisdictions such as Malta and the UK. Take a look at the reference page for 7 Sultans for a good example of an iGaming brand that caters well for Canadians with a range of table games and slots, like Jurassic Park and Thunderstruck.
It’s not only the accessibility of online casino games that is capturing the imagination across North America, it’s the breadth of games on offer too. Check out the only review of Lucky Win Slots that really helped players to understand the sheer scale of high-quality online slot machine titles as well as table games. Leading iGaming software developers from the UK and western Europe are also beginning to offer their video slots and live dealer games to the North American audience. Mobile iGaming is also growing in popularity, with the ability to play on the sofa, in the bus on the early morning commute or even during your lunch hour at work. For instance, Lucky Win Slots now has over 195 slots available to players on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
Another developing technology that could cause a seismic shift in the balance of power towards the iGaming industry is virtual reality (VR). VR iGaming is going to be absolutely huge worldwide in the next decade. There are a number of VR table games being developed for audiences across North America and the rest of the world, as well as dedicated VR casinos. SlotsMillion was reported to be the world’s first VR casino to allow players to play in virtual environments for real money. Those who own Oculus Rift headsets can transport into a bricks-and-mortar casino setting and play over 40 different popular casino games under a virtual alias. Although some people take on the casinos and lose, with these latest technologies, you’ll feel like a million dollars whatever the outcome. It’s a truly exciting time to be an online gamer.