Gambling has been a popular pastime for many decades, and all that has really changed is the way in which we play – the excitement, fun and reliance on luck are all very much the same. That being said, one of the biggest changes in the history of gambling was the transition from physical games to digital, which began about 30 years ago.
Every table game imaginable can now be enjoyed both in physical and digital form, and digital games are starting to surpass physical games in terms of popularity. So, how did this happen? Join us as we break down the transition from physical to digital table games.
The migration towards digital play
The very first online casino game was developed in 1994 and the industry has not stopped innovating since then. The digital games available now are virtually unrecognizable when compared to the earliest versions of online casino games, and every year, the biggest gaming developers in the industry come up with revolutionary enhancements.
That being said, regardless of the technical advancements of the industry, many gamblers were still reluctant to give digital games a try. The Covid-19 pandemic helped to shift the public’s perception of online gambling, as casinos and betting shops around the world were forced to close.
The result was that people who had never tried online gambling before or who were previously intimidated by digital platforms were suddenly left with no choice but to register for an online casino and give it a try. A significant proportion of the “first-timers” who tried online gambling during the pandemic have since realized that it is largely the same as gambling in person, but much more convenient.
The online gambling industry is growing and so are the numbers of different types of casino games. There are hundreds of developers producing new games annually and even creating new forms of gambling.
However, one constant has been the popularity of classic table games. There will always be table games listed in online casino games libraries and now there are dozens of different versions of the same games for gamblers to choose from.
The rise of live gaming
Another exciting development for table games has been the rise of live gaming in the online casino industry. Live games are online casino games that are managed via live stream by a real dealer. Players are playing against other online gamblers who are simultaneously accessing the game via the live stream, and in many of the games, gamblers are even able to engage in a bit of back and forth banter with the dealer.
The most popular live games are the classic casino table games such as poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps. In fact, some players who have not yet experienced a particular game will try it out for the first time online through live gaming. This allows them to learn about the game in a stress-free environment and to focus on their strategies rather than what the people around them are doing.
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In the last year, live gaming has become incredibly innovative and there are now game show-inspired games such as Deal or No Deal, Dream Catcher and Spin a Win. There are also games with elaborate sets and costumes, and games that are both exciting to play and entertaining to watch. Examples of these would be games such as Sweet Bonanza Candyland, Crazy Time and Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt Live.
Looking to the future of online iGaming
The iGaming industry is rapidly changing and innovating, so it is difficult to estimate where the industry will be in a few years. That being said, the industry is so competitive that game developers are always trying to get ahead of the curve in whichever way they can.
Right now, it looks like the next big push forward in terms of technological innovation will be games that incorporate augmented reality and virtual reality technology – otherwise known as AR and VR. Although games employing AR and VR are currently still somewhat awkward and clunky to play, the gameplay and motion graphics are continually improving.
If AR and VR improve to the appropriate extent, it could be possible for gamblers to play games in fantasy worlds, dazzling casinos or the Wild West, all through the use of VR.