Technology has changed the world around us in almost every conceivable way, reaching into every corner of human existence. The entertainment industry, including the world of betting, has benefitted from these technological advances, enabling them to reach an even wider audience.
Without the need to walk to a bookmaker or visit a bricks-and-mortar casino, gambling has rocketed in popularity. And as technology continues to march on at warp speed, the betting industry is being swept up in a wave of excitement.
Here’s a closer look at some of the best technologies that have influenced betting, and what’s likely to happen in the future.
Online Sites
The internet and the development of online sites is the single biggest transformation for the betting industry. Acting as a springboard for other technological advances described further below, online betting sites made gambling accessible to a whole new market.
Without the need to visit physical locations, gambling became more convenient and less intimidating for new and inexperienced bettors.
This emergence of multiple betting sites ushered in a new world where competition between bookmakers and casinos meant players could enjoy the widest possible choice plus lots of promotions and offers – all without having to leave the comfort of their home.
Mobile Compatibility
Being able to use mobile devices to place a bet is something that most people no longer even consider as revolutionary. Smartphones have become ingrained in everyday life, and it’s taken for granted that any apps, games or sites will be compatible.
In the early days mobile play was a challenge for gambling sites because a fast and stable internet connection is essential, plus the ability to display sharp graphics without any lag.
The advances means that these problems have been easily overcome, and even in remote locations it’s possible to use mobile devices to bet. With mobile apps and mobile optimised sites, gaming on mobile devices has been transformed.
Mobile bets allow the user’s experience to be far more dynamic, with new and fresh options such as cashing out, in-game play, live streaming, mobile payments, and live chat.
AR/VR
Augmented reality and virtual reality have been commonplace in the world of gaming for some time. However, it’s only very recently that they’ve started to hit the mainstream and be considered as a serious part of the gaming world.
It’s taken a while for these technologies to become embedded into gambling, but the possibilities they offer are exciting.
Augmented reality refers to simulated digital images being displayed in your surrounding, real-life environment, eg/Pokemon Go. Virtual reality requires the use of a headset, taking players out of their real-work environment and setting the gameplay in a virtual world.
VR and AR are already available separately for bettors, but there’s even more planned for the future.
Combining AR and VR offers the most potential, and this is the Metaverse. Players will be able to experience a “real casino” by slipping on a headset, with their avatars picking up their facial expressions and body language to create a realistic experience.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is not yet fully accepted as a mainstream form of payment, but demand for it as an alternative to fiat currency has steadily been rising.
This has never been more the case than within gambling, where players prioritise security, control, and privacy, all of which are offered in abundance by cryptocurrencies.
Launching into the world in 2009 with bitcoin being the first crypto to grab the public’s attention, there are now thousands of different cryptocurrencies available.
Bookies and casinos don’t all accept crypto, but the number has shot up in recent years. There are some sites that deal exclusively in cryptocurrency, but it’s more common to accept a combination of fiat money and crypto.
The use of blockchain technology is continuing to expand, and the world of gambling has been an enthusiastic adopter.
Big Data
Betting firms want to understand trends, analyse bettor behaviour, and be able to predict future demand – and that’s where Big Data enters the picture.
The use of Big Data within betting is now widespread, allowing bookmakers to offer tailored promotions and special deals that are more suited to their customers.
Big Data dovetails with other very new technologies such as machine learning to finetune the odds, and better understand the performance of sports players, teams, and more. This not only helps bookies to offer more accurate odds, it’s also a real asset for spotting irregularities.
This makes it hard for any sports stars to cheat in a game, improving the whole experience for bettors, including improved protection against hackers.
Looking to the Future
Despite the enormous technological advances that have already been made, there are so many on this list that are still in their infancy. From AI to cryptocurrency, and combined AR/VR, the future for betting looks fascinating, and filled to the brim with new tech.
