Nowadays, online gaming can be compared with F1 racing. In F1, engineers work non-stop to develop new technologies. These technologies are later used in commercial cars. Online games are like this—they push the technology to the limit.
So, how do casinos keep up with the times? Today, let us take a look at the several ways that the casino industry has adjusted to the changing and growing needs of people in relation to technology.
Digital Games
Two hundred years ago, all games and casinos had physical materials. All slots were mechanical. When computers became a thing, it was still not possible to make games that you could play on a screen. Casinos and game developers were quick to catch up. The digital age made it possible for game developers to program complicated slots, and this is why we now have wild, scatter, and bonus symbols. Payouts also increased as the chances of winning decreased.
The digital age did not save casinos a lot of money. The games still had to be put in cabinets and then shipped to the casino resorts. Nevertheless, the dawn of the computer age made it possible for game developers to produce more game variations.
Internet Games
In the early 1990s, Microgaming was the first to catch up with technology. Once people could make websites that were accessible globally, Microgaming made the first online casino. The first online casino was crude, with graphics that we would be laughing at today. However, it was a full suite. You could deposit money, place your bets, and then win and withdraw your money.
As the years went by, internet casinos became a go-to business model. It allowed gambling operators to offer all sorts of games to their target players. In land-based casinos, they even made it possible for players to bet on progressive slot machines. Progressive jackpot games are interlinked. So, while you are playing in a casino resort on a machine, another player is doing the same thing, playing the same thing on another machine. A percentage of the losses of the players is placed on the pot, and one lucky player is going to win it.
It did not end there. Casinos and game developers interlinked their games to the extent that players who play from home could join and play new slots. Now, there are even tournaments that you can play while at home. The internet also made it possible to offer live dealer games.
The internet also allowed game developers to manage their games from a server. Servers run the games, and players only have to access the casino via the internet. This helped casinos save a lot of money. In the early days of the internet, players had to install a casino client—software that connects the player to the casino server. Now, there is no need for installing clients. You just need a browser that allows you to play and access all the information about your account no matter what device you are on.
Mobile Games
The birth of the smartphone is another thing that the casino industry did not miss. Today, all online casinos are accessible on mobile. Players on the go love this, as they can play no matter where they are.
The beauty of mobile gaming platform is that players can play on both desktop and mobile with one login. For example, the Vulkan Vegas login for mobile is the same as for the desktop.
What Is the Future?
The current future of online casinos is virtual reality or VR. With VR, the player can wear a VR headset and then explore an open-world of slot machines and other casino games. In it, it seems like you are “walking” around a land-based gambling house. You can “tap” or “play” inside a casino. In the future, we may even have VR games where you’ll be able to talk to a live dealer.
Game makers are at the forefront of technology. Once there is something new, they will find a way to bring entertainment to these new platforms. Casinos will always be in the loop, and we can expect the casino game developers to be in touch all the time.
Apart from VR, we are looking forward to new developments in the hologram space. Who knows, right? Perhaps one day, one can just launch a hologram and then speak to a live dealer. Technologies like this are not far-fetched; it is only a matter of time.
