Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past couple of decades, you cannot fail to have noticed the massive surge in popularity of online casinos.
Technology has undoubtedly been the key driver for a major shift in the way people play casino games such as slots, poker, roulette, baccarat, and blackjack.
The internet is now awash with immersive casino sites, each of which are reliant on several different types of technology to power them. Read on as we take a closer look.
Website & Apps
All of the technology elements that comprise an online casino are integrated within a website – think of it as a car body that houses the engine and the rest of the components.
Building a casino site requires input from several different disciplines including game designers, graphic designers, web developers, game testers, and more.
Most sites generally feature a fully integrated content management system such as WordPress, which is used to publish digital marketing and advertising materials.
Many of the leading online iGaming operators go the extra mile by developing casino apps, which allow players to play their favorite games wherever they are in the world.
Game Software
Developing a quality website or app is only half the battle, with the game software undoubtedly a key factor in whether an online casino is successful.
Many operators have forged links with game development specialists to create their games, although some have been known to do this in-house.
Regardless of how the games are developed, each one must be powered by a random number generator (RNG) to ensure the outcome of each deal or spin cannot be manipulated.
Online gambling operators must agree to be tested regularly by independent auditors to ensure that all of the games on their sites are totally fair.
Chatroom Software
One of the most enjoyable elements of visiting a traditional casino is the fact you can interact in person with the dealer, croupier, or other players.
Online casinos have expertly tapped into this factor by incorporating chatroom software alongside each of the different games on their sites.
This recreates some of the social elements of casinos within a digital environment, although the text-only nature still doesn’t match up to playing in a brick-and-mortar venue.
Some operators have recently sought to address this by assessing whether video technology could be used to allow players to enjoy face-to-face interactions on their sites.
Live Streaming
The lack of human interaction in online casinos goes beyond the social aspect, with many players feeling that the gameplay experience is not the same in a digital environment.
For popular games such as blackjack, going head-to-head with the dealer brings a skill element into play that cannot be replicated using an RNG.
Online operators have been striving to rectify this issue by utilizing the latest video streaming technology to launch exciting ‘live games’ on their websites and apps.
By using elements such as a game control unit and optical camera recognition technology, live casino games bring the thrills of Las Vegas directly to a player’s digital device.