In the latest in our series of ongoing features on gambling technology, we take a look at the present and future of the industry.

Games of chance have existed as a favored pastime for centuries, with their types ranging from cards and dice to chicken and car racing. Their status is now higher than ever with statistics revealing a steady growth in the size of the global gambling market since 2009, reaching $50.65 billion in 2017 and expected to increase by another $5.4 billion in the following year. New advancements in electronic and internet technologies have been enhancing the casino gaming experience, particularly with the incorporation of web-based gambling.

But how do relevant companies maintain the public’s interest? Typically, through constant innovation. High competition is prevalent in the field, so they must fight their way to the top by constantly taking care of their customers and staying on top of trends. Their latest venture has been the addition of casual games on their websites.

Pure entertainment is what the impressive figures above can be attributed to. Playing games is fun and becoming easier and easier to do on any mobile or computing device. However, it is also up to the developers to make their games attractive and, above all, worth the expense. Themed products, for instance, seem to resonate well with interested parties.

Modern video games have a noted inclination towards fantastical or post-apocalyptic, often zombie-riddled, plots. Of the nine titles listed in Vulture, five either involve superheroes or a strange paranormal storyline, like the first-person narrative adventure What Remains of Edith Finch, released in 2017. The popularity of the concepts is further reflected in the variety of genres they appear in. Action, Adventure, RPG, First- or Third-Person Shooter, they have all served as platforms for battling zombies and villains.

It is in fashions such as these that iGaming developers find inspiration, the success of the result determined by its audience. Even if they are games costing real money, as long as 5-reel, 3-row slot games like The Invisible Man and Blood Suckers can entertain with their gameplay and wild symbol systems, the public will show its appreciation by continuing to visit and play on the website. Providers such as Lottoland make wide use of popular culture in their slot games to attract a wide audience, with games based on films such as Jurassic World through to music-inspired slots inspired by Motörhead. Of course, the effectiveness of using pop culture is observed beyond the video gaming business. The crowdfunding corporation, Kickstarter, has even backed a special set of RPG-themed poker chips.

The gambling market is indeed strong, supported by both retailers and consumers. By incorporating varied slot games, companies enrich their websites with extra features and entertainment value. Traffic, approval, and revenue increase. A disadvantage is that augmenting the online scene can deprive its land-based counterpart of players. Some suggest that the latter would only be in danger if virtual reality (VR) managed to outshine the experience of playing in a real-life casino. Nevertheless, valiant digital efforts are being made, which means that the realization of this scenario may just be a matter of time.

Ultimately, iGaming has already been established as a vital part of online gambling. Due to the boost it provides in terms of fun, distinction, and profit, it is usually considered a good move. Not only that, but as a genre within the video gaming industry, it is achieving prominence in its own right.