iGaming is Seeing Extensive Growth in the UK
As new technologies like 5G, VR and AR become more accessible expect iGaming to grow even further, says Daniela Quaglio.
iGaming is a huge industry: It includes video gaming and casino gaming, both of which are multi-billion-dollar industries on their own. Overall, iGaming has continued to grow in the UK and abroad, and it's showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. Here are a few of the reasons iGaming is seeing so much growth:
Increase in Advertising
Advertising regulations have become more lax in recent years, and it's now common to see advertising for online gaming sites, particularly casino gaming and betting sites, all over the UK. This is a huge reason the industry has grown so much, because more people are aware of it and have thus started to participate in online gaming.
Wide Selection
Casino sites offer a huge selection of games, far more than anything you'll find in a brick-and-mortar casino. They're able to offer all types of poker, roulette, and blackjack, in addition to a seemingly-endless number of slots. All this variety keeps things fresh and interesting for gamers because they'll never get bored with selections or have to keep playing the same old offerings.
For example, for poker, gamers can play live poker, video poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha, seven-card stud, Caribbean Stud, Chinese poker, and so many others. They could even play in poker tournaments. As for slots, gamers can play all of the typical favorites like Deal or No Deal or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, in addition to more seasonal slots like Halloween-themed slots. Or for those who really like music, they can always find their favorite band theme video game, like Guns n Roses slots. With all of this selection available, it should come as no surprise that slots are one of the biggest draws in online gaming and one of the main contributors to its growth.
As for video games, the variety has grown significantly over the last couple of decades, largely thanks to technology and the rise of smartphones. Online tournament games are also growing in frequency and popularity, and offer gamers another way that they can indulge in their favorite games. Instead of playing solo or with friends, they can take on others from around the world in games like Call of Duty or Fortnite.
No matter what you're interested in, there is likely a video game available. There are sports, horror, cooking, fashion, beauty, space, puzzle, animal, and robot games, among so many others. So the sheer number of games available is a huge reason as to why the industry has seen so much growth in the UK and elsewhere.
Accessibility and Convenience
Want to play a video game online? If so, there's often no need to buy expensive consoles or gear, or even download anything depending on where you play the game. But even if you do need to download the game, it often takes a matter of seconds before you can play. That's far more convenient than having to go to a store to buy a console, gear, and a game, or even order all of that online (which might take at least a few days to arrive).
Additionally, more people are able to play online video games because there's little to no cost. Gamers can often play online for free in public spaces, or they can download free or cheap games on their mobile phones. The easier it is to play a game — without obstacles like equipment or money — the more people will play it.
For online casino gaming, it's far more accessible than gaming in casinos. All gamers need is a device and an internet connection and they are able to instantly play pretty much any game they want, from wherever they are. They can play games on their phones while they're on the go, or they can play from the comfort of their own homes during a cozy night in. So there's no need to drive to a casino or even save up for a trip to Monte Carlo or Vegas — The wide world of casino gaming is available at your fingertips. And this is a huge reason that the industry has grown so much in the UK, especially combined with all of the free Wi-Fi spots that have popped up over the last decade.
In the near future, expect the iGaming industry to grow further in the UK as newer technologies like 5G, VR, and AR become more accessible and commonplace.
