Gambling trends set to transform slot sites in 2023
Online gambling has been big news throughout 2022 with a number of shakeups to the industry thanks to an ongoing review of the 2005 Gambling Act. It looks set to continue in 2023, with some niche trends moving into the mainstream, so here’s a rundown of what to expect.
Slot upgrades
The earliest slot machines had one single payline, but that soon increased to 5, 10 and even 100 paylines. Ways to Win followed, giving extra winning opportunities to players, before Big Time Gaming introduced the hugely popular Megaways mechanic. Now we’re seeing Ultraways slots, offering even more winning ways with every spin.
But it’s not just the paylines that are increasing. Game themes are steadily becoming more outrageous, with Nolimit City seemingly intent on leading the way. Having already covered maximum security prisons and post-apocalyptic cannibalism in previous games, their latest release, Serial, follows the hunt for a serial killer – this is a whole new direction for slot players!
New slot sites
But it’s not just the slots that are new. There are also a number of new slot sites set to go live in 2023, which is exciting news for anyone who enjoys spinning the reels. It’s going to be exciting discovering the new features and games that these sites will be offering, and to find out which developers they’ll choose to focus on.
Mobile gambling
With more and more people relying on their mobiles for entertainment, as well as communication, there’s been a massive increase in mobile gambling. During the course of 2023 it could overtake all other forms of online gambling, which is likely to be bad news for bricks and mortar casinos.
It’s so easy to navigate to your favourite site and start playing games immediately when playing on a mobile. There’s no need to get dressed up, travel to a casino or spend any extra money on food, drink or overnight stays. Just load up your game and play – what could be easier or more convenient?
Live dealer gambling
One of the big attractions of visiting a land-based casino is the opportunity to play live dealer games – but now that’s covered by online sites too. An increasing number of online casinos are beginning to recognise that there’s an enthusiastic audience wanting more of these types of games. That’s sure to lead to an ever greater shift towards online gameplay over the coming months.
And it’s not just the traditional favourites, such as Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat that players are turning to when it comes to online live dealer games. Online gamblers have discovered the excitement of playing live casino game shows too. And once again, these games can be enjoyed at home on PCs and laptops, or they can be played when you’re out and about on handheld devices.
Cryptocurrencies
Several online casinos now allow players to deposit and play using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Many players like the extra anonymity that crypto provides, although mainstream casinos haven’t yet fully embraced the technology, so there’s a limited range of options for bricks-and-mortar gamblers. Could 2023 be the year this all changes and crypto gambling finally goes mainstream?
Big data
Big data helps casinos to offer a more personalised experience for every player, as it facilitates analysis of their online behaviour. Not only will this encourage casinos to target their marketing more effectively, but it should also improve security too. And it will also help operators to determine which games they should be investing in more heavily, due to their popularity, which is even better news for players!
VR and social gambling
Social gambling doesn’t involve any real money gameplay, but it’s a fun and sociable activity. Developments in virtual reality technology are being embraced by some social gambling sites, enabling players to meet up with old friends and make new ones at the virtual gaming tables.
As it becomes increasingly popular, the use of VR headsets could transform online gambling, giving players the feeling of gambling at a land-based casino, but without having to get dressed up or travel anywhere.
Safer gambling
For the past five years, Safer Gambling Week has been working to raise awareness about responsible gambling. Promoting the use of safe gambling tools and resources is something that online gambling companies are becoming increasingly involved in. As support continues to grow, the awareness of responsible gambling will continue to grow throughout 2023, helping to make online gambling safer for everyone.
