Casino Trends To Watch In 2018

One of the most exciting aspects of every new year is looking at the predictions of what will be trending in the coming 12 months. In 2017 we saw lots of technological changes to our world, and there are plenty more where they came from in 2018.

Online and mobile casinos are expected to show incredible growth, as much as any other digital area, and there are so many exciting new developments to look forward to. If you’re wondering what aspects of online gambling we can expect to develop the most this year, we’ve listed our favourite predictions here.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Virtual and Augmented Reality moved from being gimmicks to being taken seriously in 2017, and should continue to realise their potential in 2018. The biggest obstacle to this technology so far has been the price of the devices, but these are expected to come down soon. With lower cost devices hitting the market, the sky really will be the limit for creating a casino that encompasses and engages every online player.

The handful of Virtual Reality games, that so far only spans a few slots and Microgaming’s VR Roulette, should expand massively in the near future. In addition, Augmented Reality could soon allow you to spin a Roulette wheel or look down on Blackjack cards from any table or surface in your house.

Use of Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have proven to be quite volatile, but as an online casino payment method they have many advantages. The use of cryptocurrencies in online and mobile gambling establishments has been growing for the past few years, and is expected to keep doing so in 2018. Infrastructure designed to accommodate Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies like Litecoin and Ethereum will be expanded upon, especially as people start to trust the blockchain technology and the absolute anonymity of the transactions more. The speedier withdrawal times, which are faster than with any conventional banking method, are also a plus.

Live Dealer Casino Developments

In terms of immersive experiences, live dealer casinos are right up there with what Virtual and Augmented reality can offer. With so many talented developers dedicated to constantly improving what is on offer, it’s sure to stay this way. The games were fantastic in 2017, but the predicted advances for 2018 will make them even better in the new year.

You can look forward to better mobile live game options, themed live settings, more integration with the rest of the online or mobile platform you’re using, live tournaments, new special features within the games and lots more. As always, you’ll be interacting with highly trained, gorgeous dealers to create a sumptuous casino-like experience every time.

Widespread Gamification

Gamification, or introducing conventional game-like elements, was an interesting blip on the online casino industry radar screen in 2017. In 2018, you can expect it to extend far beyond that. An increasing number of online and mobile playing destinations are using narratives, storylines, avatars, power-ups, leaderboards, unlockable content and other game-inspired ideas to boost player interaction. You feel more involved in what you’re doing, so you enjoy yourself more, stay longer and spend more money, which in turn benefits your chosen casino – it’s the definition of a win-win situation.

Many More Interesting Trends

While the trends we listed are our top 4 picks for online gambling development in 2018, there are lots of others to look out for; in some ways we’ve barely scratched the surface here. The year ahead promises to be a wild and exciting ride for online and mobile players around the world!