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Like in technological, innovations in iGaming are gaining momentum. New products are being offered, and the old ones are getting updates or a moved off the shelf. But many of these innovations happen thanks to technological advancements. That allows for the development of many new tools and techniques, which when applied to iGaming sites and platforms, take the experience to a whole new level. And not only that, but the latest developments in technology are making the entire iGaming industry grow exponentially. Numerous reports predict that the global iGaming industry will be worth over $45 billion.   

Challenges in iGaming

As the iGaming industry grows, so does the competition. With new online gaming operators and online gaming software provides emerging on a daily basis, it’s become a real challenge for companies in the industry to gain a digital edge. Staying competitive relies on your ability to innovate and offer player a completely immersive, multi-channel experience. Creating great games is not enough on its own. The games and the online gaming platforms must be supported throughout the promotional mechanisms, and offer and evolving entertainment functionality. Usually, this requires having a collaboration between all departments, internally and externally, and setting clear, realistic outcomes. For many companies this translates to creating new fun games, along with gamification features to the older offering. And additional, cutting-edge concepts and omni-channel support.

Innovation through Adaptation  

The last several years have brought rapid growth to the digital space. Players have become so attached to their mobile devices that playing games on them is a given. Knowing this allows content creators and online gaming software providers to move development boundaries and create completely new experiences for players.

One of the biggest challenges that iGaming is facing are the incomplete experiences that players are offered across channels. Instead of being able to enjoy their favorite games on desktop or mobile device, and have a seamless experience, that allows game progress and earning rewards across all platforms, players are often forced to start over when switching devices. This ideal experience is not beneficial only to players, but also to iGaming operators. That way they will have a complete view of the players, their behavior and preferences. And this holistic view can be used to offer them a more robust and personalized loyalty programs.

Another challenge that online gaming operators face is the evolution of players. Consumers are getting more “game intelligent” and know what kind of games and experiences they want. With so many choices, operators can’t afford to have boring games because that will lose them customers. Players look for entertaining experiences and significant gratification. And online gaming providers need to ensure that’s what they provide to players.

One way to do this is find new and innovative ways to stay aligned with players’ changing demands and preferences. Players have to be at the center of online gaming software providers’ ideation process. Since consumers expect digital and mobile options for nearly all aspects of their lives, it’s mandatory for online gaming software developers to create solutions that meet these expectations. Moreover, these solutions need to accommodate the needs of global audiences, including their gaming preferences and payment methods.

New technologies and social media continue to influence iGaming. Making staying ahead even harder. The key is to constantly evolve and create new gaming solutions for players. To do this, iGaming software providers need to leverage the team’s creative gaming and technological expertise to provide evolving, innovative gaming moments. A major part of the process is setting clear understanding and expectations between the marketing and development teams. None of the digital growth is slowing down, so iGaming operators need to offer their most compelling options to players to keep them engaged and entertained. Creating a strong relationship and fantastic gaming experience on all devices should be the main focus and key driver of growth and innovation. 

Innovation is Key for Success

Operators must be smart as they plan their future development. They have be on the lookout for new technologies and changing trends. Giving players what they want is the definition of success, and only those who can maximize their potential through innovation and adaptation will succeed in the iGaming industry.  

Introduction of innovations and new technologies, whether gradual or disruptive, is essential for expansion and growth of iGaming operators. The digital landscape changes and shifts continuously, and the ripples impact the iGaming industry as well. One way to stay on track and not lose course is staying focused on updating games and platforms regularly to keep them working seamlessly with modern technology. All the while, working on the creation of new, innovative products.

Traditionally, the growth and development of online payments were linked to developments in e-commerce. Maybe saying this would be too bold, but in five years from now the term ‘online payments’ may be obsolete. E-wallets and payment platforms become increasingly accessible from smartphones, and slowly starting to dominate offline payments too. While e-commerce still plays an important role in innovation in payments, in the past several years, online gaming and gambling are driving the innovation in online payments.

International Expansion of iGaming Operators and Software Providers

Global expansion used to be reserved for big companies. But iGaming operators and software providers have changed the rules of the game. Now, thanks to global payment technology it is very easy to expand to new markets quickly. A great testament to the power and reach of online gambling are the numerous eSports tournaments with prize pots of several millions of dollars, and stretching across all continents. The industry’s worldwide reach presents obvious and enticing opportunities for businesses, giving them access to millions of customers across the planet.

But in order to truly maximize the potential of international expansion, iGaming software providers and online gambling operators need to ensure they have the right payment methods for each region. And for that, they need to make the right partnership with payment processing companies. When choosing or diversifying payment options, iGaming operators need to make sure their payment provider(s) is able to meet their international needs. And there are few key services their payment provider should have, such as cross-border payments, accepting multiple currencies, etc.

Understanding Local Payment Needs and Possibilities

Usually, most online gaming and online gambling operators offer their services internationally. People from around the globe can open their website, create an account and play. But accepting payments in multiple currencies in order to reach international players is no longer enough. Every market and every region is different. Aside from having different currencies, different regions have their own payment needs, possibilities or preferences. In Europe, and parts of North America, players prefer to use debit and credit cards. While in Asia, digital wallets, such as NETELLER and Skrill, are the first choice of consumers and players driving the eCommerce growth. But digital wallets also have an audience among online gamers in Europe, along with online cash replacement systems.

That’s why when expanding to new markets, operators need to be aware of the local payment requirements, and partner with a provider that has in-depth knowledge of the region they are targeting and the technical capability to support their operation in those markets. Fortunately, there are several payment providers that recognize these needs and provides services in numerous markets around the world. They process credit card payments and offer alternative payment methods such as digital wallets and cash replacement systems.

Enabling Cross-Border Payments

If your online gaming platform is available to players overseas, it is imperative that your payment provider can enable secure and effective cross-border eCommerce. The best practice for online gaming operators is to team up with a provider that offers a broad range of global payment solutions with the scope to process payments in multiple currencies. Ideally, the payment provider should be able to process card and alternative payments in GBP, EUR and USD and as many additional currencies as possible. This will make it much easier for your business to operate overseas. Some providers also have specialist fraud and risk management tools that are helpful in taking the stress out of processing international payments, and ensuring all finances are safe.

Safeguarding Users from Problem Gambling

One key thing to keep in mind when deciding to grow your business is that with the rise of online gaming and gambling, is the industry’s duty to protect players from problem gambling. In fact, operators in the US and EU must take steps to identify risky behavior and stop users from gambling when it’s not permitted or before it turns into a problem. So when choosing a payment provider, online gambling operators should partner with one that is experienced and able to support them in safeguarding their users.

The world of iGaming and advancements in payment tech have influenced one another, driving growth in both fields. But with the ability to expand internationally comes the need to offer players stable and safe payment methods suitable to their needs and preferences. Partnering with the right payment service provider and integrating a comprehensive payment processing solution that can meet any specific customer payment need and preference can be the key to international success and staying ahead of the competition.

Casinos and gambling are still illegal in mainland China. But, it is allowed in Macau and Hong Kong. Over the years Macau has emerged as the gambling hub of not just China, but all of Asia Pacific. Over the years, Macau has gained international importance and has become at par with Las Vegas. In fact, Macau has been dubbed the new Gambling capital of the World.

Lack of Online Gaming Legislation

The Chinese gaming and gambling market is one of the fastest growing in the world. While land-based gambling is legal in Macau, online gaming is not regulated. So, in most parts, the lack of online gaming licensing translates into ‘online gaming is legal’. This is true for players though. The public can place bets with foreign-based online casinos. But the lack of regulation implies that operating an online casino in Macau is illegal, which works against the online gaming operators.

As a result, there are many iGaming operators that operate offshore but serve Macau. These online gaming operators use state of the art technology to ensure that players have the best online gaming experience no matter if they use desktop computers or mobile devices. Online casinos are easily accessible and have an extensive selection of fun and exciting games. They also offer players the option to make quick deposits and withdrawals, making playing easier and more enjoyable.

However, that are many operators that backed out of Macau because they want to avoid getting in conflict with the Chinese government, which has a very strict stance against gambling in general. But for now, Macau is still one of the most liberal gaming and gambling environments in the world. But when it comes to iGaming, the lack of legislation is similar to the rest of the world. iGaming operators are shut out of the place, but the public is free to enjoy online gaming at their own leisure, and risk.

China wants to Strengthen Gaming and Gambling Regulations

Regardless of the huge revenues that come from Macau’s gambling, and gambling tourism, the Chinese government is pushing Macau to tighten its gambling industry oversight and strengthen regulations. There is also a desire for Macau to monitor the changing trends in the casino sector and diversify into non-gambling activities. China wants Macau to focus on leisure and family tourism and put gambling in the background. However, there is now more of an emphasis being put on entertainment and retail stores across the region.

But if China wants Macau to be more aware of the latest trends in casino and gambling, what does this mean for the legalization of online gaming? Is China going to accept the dominance of online gaming and finally create legislation that allows online gaming operators to work on Chinese soil? We can only wait and see.

Through the years, the media has often criticized the gambling industry. As a result, many people believe the stereotype that gambling is harmful, and just another vice that can cause addiction due to human desire (and often greed) to make easy money.

In reality, though, there’s another side to that coin. Gambling can be very beneficial to local communities that have been hit by an economic crisis. And it helps in terms of creating employment opportunities, generating tax money, and much more.

Creating Jobs for the Locals

With the opening of a new business, comes the need for hiring workers. Legalized online gambling can play a crucial role in improving the employment rate, in small cities and megalopolises alike. And since the online casino industry is open 24/7, need stuff more than the regular 9-5 businesses. This means that whenever an online operator or an iGaming software provides opens a venue, they are creating employment opportunities for the locals. From highly skilled employees to front-line workers, these companies need many people to provide front- and back-office support to players.

The gambling industry, including online casino operators, iGaming and casino software providers can be a very motiving and rewarding working environment, which encourages people to get a job and stay with the business longer. For example, online casinos offer almost all of the jobs we see in traditional casinos – their online dealers, customer support, technical (back office) support, and much, much more. So people starting as dealers can easily work they up into managerial positions.

Additionally, iGaming software providers earn significant amounts; they are able and willing to pay their workers more. Statistics show that countries, where online casinos and iGaming software operators are legal, have higher employment rate, and average salaries are also higher. Which makes it clear that this industry has a lot of potentials to bring positive (economic and societal) changes to local communities.

Giving Back to the Community

Just like any other entity, online casinos and iGaming software providers are supposed to pay taxes. Also, the players who win (big) money are required to fulfill this obligation. While tax rates vary in different countries, casinos iGaming software providers still have to pay corporate income tax, just like any other business in the country. There may also be different fees on top of the taxes. Similarly, gamblers have to give a specific amount of their winnings, which depends on the country’s laws, and types of games they play.

In addition to being taxpayers, the gambling industry can additionally help and encourage economic growth by means of organizing charities and participating fund raising events. Since gambling has a bad reputation, sportsbook and casino software providers are also supporting local initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of other people, raising gambling addiction awareness, sponsoring gambling prevention centers, etc.

Increasing Interest in Sports

Online sports betting is a huge segment of online gambling. While it’s very profitable for the economy, it’s also helping other businesses attract more customers who are interested in a specific sports event covered by the betting agents. This includes local bars, cafes and bistros that live stream games and matches, shops that sell sports and fan merchandise. Even sports venues where gamblers can engage in their favorite sport.

Sports are present in almost every local culture, and online sports betting can additionally increase their influence and turn local sports teams and competitions into internationally known stars and events that attract tourists. A great example of this is the football leagues. Football fans regularly place bets and (most of them would) gladly travel to watch their favorite team play live.

Arguments Against Online Gambling

While we can see that legalizing online gambling can be very beneficial to local economies, there are still many opponents that speak of the social costs of gambling and the harm it does to society. They connect it with problem gambling or gambling addiction, and very often to crime, thanks to cinematic representation in the 20th century.

However, these effects have a lesser impact than the long-term economic and social benefits associated with gambling legalization. All reputable online casino operators, iGaming and sportsbook software providers have policies that address problem gambling and are actively involved in preventing it. They also contribute a substantial part of their profits to organizations that help people who are addicted to gambling to recover. Research has even shown that the expansion of online gambling has no impact on the level of addiction among players.

It’s a fact that casinos are a significant cultural phenomenon and play a big role in the lives of many people. They are a great source of fun, are present a way for people to socialize, enjoy a good time with their friends and make new ones, and on top of it all, earn some money. But very often, winning cash is not the main reason people engage in online gambling. Instead, it’s the socialization, the thrill of the game, and rush of adrenaline why people decide to enjoy this digital form of entertainment.

As one of the fastest-moving industries, iGaming has been through many changes and challenges over time. Players are always seeking new exciting experiences, regulations change, and as new markets open, the pressure seems to increase in the more established gaming markets. Keeping ahead of trends and following the changing dynamics necessary for staying relevant in the industry is becoming harder as the speed of events increases. But to better understand the future of gaming, we first must understand the factors that influence and shape it.  Here, we will explore the key trends that are expected to impact the online gaming space and drive innovation in the upcoming 12 months.

Commoditization of Content

When it comes to iGaming, there is no discussion that content is king. The whole gaming market is built on a wide variety of content aimed at providing a plethora of player experiences. But lately, standing out from the crowd has become a challenge. On top of the 30,000 games that already exist, we see over 50 new games launched almost every month.

The question is, how many of these games offer a new and different experience? Perhaps creating a unique gaming experience is not so easy, but the games that perform the best share some common characteristics such as enchanting theme and unique reel arrays. Some online operators even go a step further and try to bring content from land-based casinos to digital, in a new gamified form. But in order to attract player, operators must find simple, enticing ways to promote games.

Challenging Times in Europe as Markets Mature

Regulation has always been a hot topic in gaming. But now it’s more prevalent than ever. Markets in Europe are reaching a certain level of maturity where players expect a high level of service and quality from game manufacturers and operators alike. At the same time, as the markets grow, regulators keep evaluating their policies and implementing new ones in an attempt to keep the industry accountable.

Greater political scrutiny and new regulation are creating additional operational challenges. The existing advertising bans, crackdowns on bonusing and stricter AML/KYC checks make it even harder for operators to keep their heads above water. And only those who can be creative and fast can succeed in the upcoming year. One way that operators can stay ahead of the regulatory curve is to lead a change by embracing the new technology, including the blockchain. Another way operators try to lighten up the burden of the regulator is by scaling, so we expect to see many mergers and acquisitions in the coming months.

The emergence of Mobile Gaming

Mobile gaming is slowly but surely taking over. In fact, nearly 70 percent of iGaming turnover is generated via a mobile device. This number will only rise as the migration from desktop to mobile continues. Going mobile is one of the main challenges the industry faces since there are many debates over many aspects of mobile gaming.

But mobile UX is still in its infancy, which means operators that already started curating exciting and engaging mobile experiences for their player, via responsive websites or mobile apps, are leading the way. Mobile devices offer the ability to create a truly immersive and personalized experience, but developers and operators need to first truly understand mobile. Only then, they can create experiences that will drive the future growth of (mobile) gaming forward.

Player Acquisition and Retention

One key thing to remember in 2019 is that players should always come first. Only platforms that deliver personalized, bespoke experiences will survive in the long run. This is especially important now because many operators are facing the challenge to attain new and retain existing players. The associated costs, and restrictions in advertising are making it even more difficult to get in front of your potential players.

While the gaming industry is just begging to catch up in respect of targeting and personalization, using data science and technology to understand target markets and players’ behavior can greatly help in creating a stronger backbone for smarter, more effective player acquisition and retention strategies. Responsible gaming has to be part of the equation though. As it is very important for rewarding and encouraging the right play, and identifying when players display the wrong types of behavior along with suggesting or implementing ways to stop that behavior.

Looking Forwards to the Next Chapter

The begging of the year has been very exciting and successful. But also full of lessons and challenges. And we can safely say that the iGaming industry is changing so much, so fast, that the only way to keep up is to accept the trends that are changing gaming forever. With AR, VR, blockchain, cryptocurrency and other technological advancement entering the industry, reimaging the way games are played and offering the player new, even more personalized and immersive gaming experiences is the only logical next step.

The Scandinavian region has a long-standing history with online gaming.  The region has given rise to incredibly successful titles such as Minecraft, Clash of Clans, Battlefield, Angry Birds. And through the years, the Scandinavian countries have proven over and over that they create a trend-setting game design, and have a big community of talented developers embracing new technologies. So it’s no wonder they are the ones that move things forward in MMO games, VR and AR gaming and technology.

Until recently, only Denmark allowed private operators to enter the market. But due to the EU requirements, Scandinavian countries are slowly giving a green light to the gambling industry, which is using the opportunity to gain momentum. At the moment, the region is under pressure to create and adopt a legislative framework. However, not all countries are on the same page when it comes to online casino operators.

Online Gaming Legislation in Scandinavia

The Scandinavian market has tried hard to keep a regime of monopoly in gambling. And that’s the reason why legislation has been so strict in these countries. As a result, Scandinavian providers have very limited opportunities. The first exception was Denmark when the country approved serious amendments to their gaming and gambling laws in 2012.

Due to the pressure coming from the EU, Sweden has also made changes to their laws and  opened the market in January of this year. Finland is slowly beginning to interact with online casino operators, and Norway is the only country that does not intend to end the state monopoly. But considering that Norway is not an EU member, they do not have to comply with the legislation of the Alliance.

The Overall Condition of the Scandinavian Gambling Market

There is a huge interest among industry leaders to enter the Scandinavian market. This is because quality of living is very high in these countries. Which for gaming operators translates as having a lot of people that play at high stakes. According to statistics from H2 Gambling Capital for 2016, the average spending on gambling per month of players from this region:

• $390 per year in Norway;
• $320 in Sweden;
• $300 in Denmark;
• $485 in Finland.

Scandinavians are avid online players. They prefer horse race betting, especially in Norway, in Denmark they mostly play poker, while in Finland and Sweden online gambling is rising in popularity with poker and sports betting. This is very important for operators because online games are now legal in Sweden, and are expected to become legal in Finland too.

The Gambling Industry in Denmark

Back in 2010, the Danish government had to regulate gambling and cooperate with the online casino providers and operators. The state monopoly was ended, and the new law came in force on 1 January 2012. But the gambling market has been divided in two parts. One regulated, one still monopolized. The latest updates were introduced in late 2015 though, with the amendments that legalized betting on fantasy sports, along with some changes to the licensing procedure which is now managed by the national gambling regulator Spillemyndigheden.

The Gambling Industry in Finland

Even though Finland is not in the EU, it belongs to the Scandinavian region, and is of great interest to the gambling community. The Finish market is still state-owned and controlled, and consists of three sectors:

Casinos and slot machines are operated by RAY company.
Veikkaus Oy operates State lotteries with cash prizes, scratch cards, sports betting, as well as pool games.
Horserace betting – by Fintoto Oy.

But with the reform in 2017 were united under one name: Veikkaus. In Finland there are also games run by charitable organizations – non-cash lotteries, bingo, and keno. Interestingly enough, surveys show that two thirds of Finish citizens support the government policy regarding the state monopolization of gambling. And over half respondents do not want foreign gambling companies to be allowed to enter the country. Finland considers introducing new identification requirements for the operation of slot machines, but these changes should come into force in 2023.

The Gambling Industry in Sweden

Until recently, Sweden had a state-owned monopoly using the local operator Svanska Spel. Starting from 1st January 2019, the Swedish online gambling market become open for licensing international operators.  The process of de-monopolization of the national gambling market begun years ago, and foreign operators and land-based casinos had an opportunity to work in the country.

Yet, the share of Svanska Spel is still much bigger than the share of international gaming companies. Online casinos that operate outside of Sweden were never prohibited though. According to EU legislation, Swedish citizens are free to play these sites. As a result, many European operators have used the chance to focus their efforts on attracting players from Sweden.

The Gambling Industry in Norway

The Norwegian gambling market is still partially owned by two major state-owned gaming companies:

Norsk Tipping AS offers lotto, keno, lotteries Eurojackpot and Viking Lotto, scratch cards, number games, sports betting, betting terminals (IVT) and online gambling.
Norsk Rikstoto offers horserace betting.

Additionally, there are games organized by private operators sponsored by non-profit organizations. This part of the market consists of bingo, casino on vessels, card games, poker, as well as small local and regional lotteries. These private operators account for less than 20% of the market.

But the Norwegian market is not about to open up to international operators any time soon. In 2016, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Culture supervising the gambling market introduced a new law. This new law favors the strengthening the state monopoly and banning access of foreign operators of online gambling. The government justification for the rejection to open the market is that implementing another regulatory framework may lead to the development of gambling addiction.

Future of Scandinavian Gambling

While having a state monopoly on the gambling market is the usual practice in Scandinavian countries, online gambling sites are becoming increasingly popular. Since no one country can monopolize the Internet, and the European Union law requires equal rights for all gambling operators, governments are forced to put an end to their prohibitions and make the Scandinavian market open to online gambling.

The change of legislation in Sweden is a huge step forward for this market though. It creates tremendous prospects for online gambling operators in Sweden, and many believe that if the Swedish market develops enough to generate a steady income, the strength and influence of state monopolies in other countries in Scandinavia and European Union may be reduced as well.

The past several years have shown us that mobile devices are becoming the dominant choice for all online interactions. From communication to online shopping, to browsing options for your next holiday, to ordering food online. Lately, this mobile craze has taken over the iGaming and online casino industries by storm too.

Since smartphones have become an inseparable part of our daily life, mobile gambling takes casino games to players who prefer to enjoy them on the go. Thanks to mobile gambling sites and apps players can try their luck as they commute, take a break at work or play to relax at home.

Mobile Casinos are the New Big Trend

It is estimated that nearly everyone spends an average of 3 hours per day using a smartphone or tablet. The convenient use and ease of transportation make the mobile phone highly popular and attractive among young and old audience because they can be used for countless tasks. In fact, the average mobile user checks their smartphone around 200 times per day – to check the time/date, to post on social media, perform a calculation, check the news, listen to music, browse the Internet…

With such convenience and speed at their disposal, players are also making a shift to mobile devices as their main platform to enjoy their favorite casino games. But casinos need to be aware that mobile players are the most progressive, active and solvent Internet users. They are representatives of the most advanced audience aged between 18 and 45. These players have much higher gaming needs than players who sit at home and play on a desktop computer or those who visit land-based casinos. Since smartphones make placing bets a lot easier, mobile gamers play online casino games more often and bet more frequently.

Online Casinos Go Mobile

Going mobile has enabled numerous new and existing players to access the Internet via smartphones and tablets and stake real money at any time. As a result, we can see an increasing number of gambling operators that offer mobile apps to their players.

Having a responsive website is still important, but in an attempt to capitalize on the mobile craze, gaming operators are putting a high emphasis on adding mobile-friendly and responsive features and interfaces to their sports betting and online casinos apps. Their focus in on providing personalization-rich mobile casinos that enable players to access their favorite gaming platforms immediately on smartphones and tablets.

Now, we can find numerous different mobile casino apps as operators work hard to provide players a glitzy experience that resembles the one they’d get in a live casino. In fact, many big gaming companies even offer free slot turns in an attempt to lure players to download and use their mobile casino apps. While others make specific games or slots exclusively from the mobile casino apps.

What operators must keep in mind is that players prefer properly designed apps that offer exciting features and uninterrupted gaming that can keep them entertained throughout the whole day. In order to attract players and keep them close, they can’t use the same gaming content they offer on desktop. Even though the experience may seem similar, there are slight differences. To really increase players’ loyalty, operators need to customize the whole gaming package and offer intuitive betting experiences, real-time excitement and tailor-made solutions.

Are Mobile Casinos the Future?

We can safely say that mobile technologies have reached a mature stage in the iGaming industry. And leading operators and developers are actively creating and implementing solutions for mobile iGaming platforms.

The industry keeps actively growing thanks to technological progress and the ever-increasing speed of the mobile Internet. And of course, the eagerness of player to embrace new technology. But only time can tell whether we are witnessing a digital revolution in iGaming, or simply the next evolutionary step to the ultimate gaming experience.

The mobile emergence is greatly influencing, and most definitely changing the online gaming landscape, that’s for sure. Every company in the industry is affected, and if they wish to survive on the market, they have to take this mobile preference into account and offer players what they crave – mobile casino apps.

Gaming isn’t what it used to be. As it becomes increasingly popular, players need to keep one thing in mind: security. Even though most people think about the fun and excitement related to gaming, for those who spend a lot of time gaming using their computers and mobile devices, the security of their information is critical.

From Desktop to Mobile

The online gaming industry is one of the fastest growing in the world. While PC games dominated the industry in the past, now we see an immense growth of mobile gaming. The portability of gaming allows users to engage pretty much everywhere. To make this possible, game developers integrate the latest tech features to reach new audiences and monetize activity. But underneath all of these interactions, there is a sinister threat – the risk of cyber attacks.

The Vulnerability of Online Gaming

There’s no denial that gaming, and games themselves, grow more sophisticated with ongoing and encouraged social elements. The main value of the games lies in their ability to transport users into a virtual world of entertainment. When immersed in the gaming experience, no one wants to think about security. Instead, players prefer to focus on the gameplay.

The social and networking aspect of gaming presents a threat in itself since it allows malicious cyber attacks to quickly take root and spread. Furthermore, in interactive games that include team play and chat, team members that play together for a longer time, share strong bonds. This can make members feel comfortable, so they begin sharing their real identities, locations and personal data. But this behavior can put them at risk of malicious use of their private information.

The software behind all of the best and most popular iGaming platforms is designed and developed by top professionals and additionally verified as safe by third-party enforcers to ensure the platform provides the fairest gaming experience. While Internet security today is the best it has been, there are still people that will try to exploit any flaws they may find.

How to Keep Information Safe?

There are many choices in today’s online gaming environment. Players and online gaming platforms alike need to make security a priority. A secure platform will protect players’ identities and personal information, bankroll and the players’ ability to play fair games. There are many ways to safeguard data and ensure state-of-the-art Internet security that every gaming platform and online casino should add.

Encryption Software

Usually, online platforms and casinos use data encryption technology to ensure data exchanged between them and players cannot be read or accessed by other people. The most common types are 128 or 256-bit encryption, or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).  This type of encryption turns whatever personal and financial data players’  sent to the platform into unbreakable strings of code. The machine or the account of the intended recipient can only decipher the unbreakable code.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Reputable online casinos and gaming platforms use Random Number Generators to ensure every part of the game is as random as possible. The goal is to make everything,  from blackjack deals to roulette wheels to random gifts truly as random as mathematically possible. RNGs are part of the software code that generates a random sequence of numbers and/or symbols. It is a common practice for many platforms to have independent companies to regularly test and verify their RNG to ensure wins are distributed in a safe, fair and unbiased manner.

Privacy Policies and Gaming Licenses

Privacy policies are important because they tell players how platforms intend to use their information. Some platforms can collect and sell players’ data. And by signing up you, as a player, agree to this. Sticking to platforms and casinos that state they will not sell or rent data means your personal information will be secure. Additionally, gaming licenses are another important document that should be present on the platform’s website. Most online casinos and platforms post who issued their license, so players can go the authority’s website and check if the license is valid.

Information Security is Team Work

With the constant changes of regulations and advancements in technology, information security is becoming more important than ever. In truth, most cybersecurity measures prevent the vast majority of threats from causing harm, but players still need to be careful and not rely solely on the platforms’ security.

Players should also make sure they keep their devices and software up to date with the latest security measures and features. And more importantly, drop the notion that security impedes gameplay. In the last few years, security vendors have upgraded their software with game-boosting features to ensure players enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience while the security is on.

For additional layers of security, they can also create a special email address for signing up to online games, and screenshot everything suspicious or bad, and report those instances. Use antivirus and anti-spyware programs, and use a firewall. Additionally, never download software and games from unknown websites, and avoid clicking links, images, pop-ups as they may contain viruses.

Africans are crazy about sports. Football has the most fans. Followed by cricket and rugby. But sports events are not only a key source of entertainment for Africans. They are also an opportunity to win money by placing sports bets. Interestingly enough, almost 40% of the African population is below the poverty line, yet Africa is emerging as one of the most lucrative sports betting markets in the world. As a result, we can see many (smart) Africans making a lot of money by betting on sports and online sportsbooks. Sportsbooks are very popular because they accept numerous payment methods: banking methods – cards such as Visa and Mastercard, PaySafeCard, Neteller, PayPal and mobile wallet based solutions.

Growing the Local Economy

Sports betting in Africa is extremely popular. Recent studies show that over 60 million residents of Nigeria aged 18-40 are actively betting, and spending an average of $15 per day. Similarly, the South African government statistics show that over 50 percent of adults in the country place sports bets regularly. And it’s pretty much the same in the rest of the continent as well.

European and US sports betting operators have realized the potential of the African market and seized the opportunity to expand. Additionally, sports betting companies are greatly supported by local advocates who say that this expansion is good for the economic growth of several African countries because it provides job opportunities for many young Africans and generates tax revenue for the government. At the same time, it enables bettors to make some money.

Rise of Sports Betting in Africa

There are many reasons why sports betting is so popular among Africans. From their love of the sport to the high unemployment rate and lenient sports betting laws. Everyone has a reason to enjoy the leisure-time activity, bettors and sports betting operators alike.

Great Love for Sports

Yes, we said this before but we can’t stress enough how much Africans love sports. Football is the most popular sport, for playing and betting. European football leagues in general and the Spanish, English, Italian, and French leagues, in particular, have African fans in the millions. Other sports like cricket, rugby, tennis, horseracing, basketball, boxing, and car and motorcycle races also have a substantial following and attract a large number of bets. Africans are especially enthusiastic about placing bets on match outcomes such as the number of goals, players that score the most, etc. This inexplicable sports craze is what makes sports betting the most lucrative and fastest growing in the world.

Lenient Sports Betting Laws

It is very attractive and very easy for European and US sports betting companies to expand into Africa because of the lenient sports betting laws in almost all African countries. In fact, South Africa is the only country that has proper regulations. In the rest of the African countries, gambling laws are new and the industry is not yet regulated. All the while certain countries with Muslim-majority have enforced a blanket ban on every form of gambling including sports betting.

Rise of Mobile Gaming

The rise of mobile devices in Africa is making sports betting available to even more people. Now, more and more Africans enjoy sports betting on the move. In fact, the African sports betting operators are using this mobile trend by partnering with top mobile phone operators to link mobile money services such as M-Pesa, Orange Money, and Airtel Money with their sports betting products. As a result, Africans are increasingly using their smartphones and tablets for sports betting, slowly making Africa the first mobile continent for sports betting.

High Unemployment Rates

Africa has a staggering unemployment rate – more than 200 million people aged 15-24 do not have jobs. In fact, several countries have a 25% unemployment rate. At the same time, the population of the continent is expected to double by 2050, and the continent to have the world’s largest youth population. The main reason why many associations support the expansion of European and US sports betting operators and sportsbooks in Africa are the job opportunities they would create, thus lowering unemployment.

Conclusion

The African continent is huge, and rules and regulations for sports betting are still a fresh subject. The 54 countries have different laws that allow or completely ban gaming and gambling so whether you are an eager player or sports betting operator looking to expand, do your proper research on the regulative and the other sportsbooks out there.

There are many factors that influence the landscape. Reputability, licensing, fair play, privacy policies, and customer care among others. But one thing is certain – sports’ betting is on a constant rise in Africa, with mobile betting dominating the market. If you are an operator considering Africa your next target, now the best moment to take your place on the ‘Mecca’ for online gaming.

Online casinos are like any other competitive field that is constantly moving forward. The online gaming industry has been able to survive through the years and stay successful in customer-focused environments. But in recent years, casino slot gambling revenue has had many ups and downs. As a result, online gaming platforms are looking for new ways to stay competitive, drive more traffic to their sites, and keep players engaged. With the constant rise of community-based skill gaming, online casinos are increasingly looking to add community-based games to their offering. That way, they can increase playing times and expand player demographics.

Skill- and Community-Based Games in Online Casinos

Online casinos are always attentive to their customer base, and looking to attract new audiences. So it’s not a surprise they are embracing skill-based gaming and adapting eSports to the online gambling scene. Research shows that millennials prefer community-based skill games as opposed to the traditional online slots and or card tables. The main reason online casinos are making a switch to eSports and  community-based skill gaming is to help them spark and maintain players interest for a longer period, and wanting to come back to the platform to play more. Ensuring a viable future for the gaming industry.

Younger generations are tech-savvy and very involved in eSports, whether as players or viewers. Skill-based games are often feature-rich, and keep the experience interactive and engaging. eSports give players the thrill of competing against each other in tournaments. And this never-ending competition can be later used and incorporated into loyalty programs. So it seems that adding new skill and community-based games or revamping some old ones is like hitting the jackpot.

Are eSports the Future of Gaming?

Many people believed that video games and professional competitive gaming are only of interest to a small group of people. But in reality, these are two are part of a really big, really successful industry. Professional competitive gaming, also called eSports, is an industry with a growing fan base. What’s even more impressive are the large wins players can score. For example, major tournaments, like League of Legends World Championship finals, attract millions of viewers, while gamers battle to win millions in prize money. In fact, eSports are so huge that participants can get up to $25 million when winning, including money collected from sponsorships and appearance fees. It is estimated that eSports viewers spend over 20 million hours watching gaming in 2018.  The industry is so big, that beside YouTube, there is another dedicated gaming channel – Twitch – that streams matches live, enables players to stream their own games, allows them to comment and engage in discussion. But eSports are not happening only online.

One of the main indicators that they are here to stay is when there is a real commitment by land-based and online casinos alike. Just like traditional sports, eSports also has its number of professional players, celebrities and commentators. What is more enticing though, is the total prize pool of eSports which exceeds $24 million. Compared to traditional sports, that’s more money than the prize pools of the US National Basketball Association – $13 million, and Golf Masters Cup – $20 million, put together. eSports and community-based skill games are attracting millions of players, but it takes great skill and strategy to win. It takes hours of practice a day, just like in traditional sports, to master the game. It’s challenging, unpredictable, and makes players keep coming for more.

The online gaming proves the immense growth of eSports, that can continue to thrive in this highly competitive industry. Finding an edge in a landscape that’s growing more crowded all the time, requires online casinos and gaming platforms to provide new experiences for players. And the emergence of eSports offers exactly that – a new challenge and a community of like-minded players that are eager to learn from each other and compete. On the other hand, the newness of skill-based games has its daunting challenges. Even though the industry of eSports is several years old, it is still in its early days as the product and platforms mature. So without performing a comprehensive analysis and setting a clear implementation strategy, it’s difficult to incorporate these type of games to an existing platform. But re-imagining some of the old games might be the first step in understanding what the path forward for adoption looks like.