Each year brings its own twists and turns, with 2019 having been no exception to the rule. In 2020, we’re largely expecting to see a continuation of the biggest online casino gaming trends of the past 18 months.
The most notable recent trend of all has been the explosive growth in the popularity of online gaming. Once a niche and curious concept, online casino gaming is now enjoyed by tens of millions of people worldwide each day. This is something that’s only set to continue, as both accessibility and quality reach new heights.
Other than this, there are several online casino gaming trends guaranteed to make their mark in 2020. Of which, the most notable of all will undoubtedly be the following:
1. More Live Casino Gaming
Slowly but surely live-dealer casino gaming is taking over as the new standard. Live casino came about relatively recently, though proved to be an instant and unstoppable hit. This is because live-dealer gaming provides the closest approximation of the real-life casino experience from home. Talented hosts, a huge variety and the ability to socialise with gamers from all over the world – all without setting foot outdoors. Once exclusive to the biggest online casinos, live-dealer is pretty much everywhere these days.
2. Heavy Mobile Focus
One of the most important online casino gaming trends of recent years has been growing mobile focus. This is likely to continue throughout 2020 and beyond. More gamers than ever before are using mobile devices to access online casino gaming, primarily or even exclusively. This has prompted small and large casino brands alike to focus heavily on mobile gaming quality. Already, using a mobile device to access an online casino doesn’t mean compromising on quality. In fact, there are many instances where the compact touchscreen interface actually improves the overall experience. Therefore, 2020 looks set to be the year of mobile casino gaming.
3. More Payment Options
Not the most revolutionary online casino gaming trend, but an important evolution nonetheless. Casinos worldwide are becoming more flexible all the time with the payment methods they accept. Mobile wallets in particular have become popular among online casino gamers. Chances are, 2020 will see any number of new and interesting payment options being brought into the mix.
4. Bitcoin Casino Expansion
Speaking of which, we’re still at a stage where we don’t really know what’s going to happen with cryptocurrency. Nevertheless, more gamers than ever before are giving Bitcoin payments a try. In response, casinos worldwide have started accepting Bitcoin payments for deposits and withdrawals. There are even plenty of casinos that have been set up exclusively (or predominantly) for Bitcoin customers. The way things are going, this looks likely to be one of the more important online casino gaming trends for 2020.
5. Creative Bonuses and Incentives
Expect to see at least two big developments with online casino bonuses next year. Firstly, creative incentives look set to take over as the new norm. Players are becoming disinterested with generic welcome bonuses and uninspired top-ups at quite the pace. Hence, we’re already seeing some of the more creative casinos introducing innovative incentives and rewards. Examples of which include genuine cash-back payments, in place of the usual credit top-ups. In addition, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for casinos to get away with OTT terms, conditions and wagering requirements. One of the most important online casino gaming trends of recent years has been an increase in transparency. Rather than attempting to mislead customers with impossibly huge bonuses, we’re likely to see bonuses becoming more modest and honest.
6. Customer Support Focus
Customer support quality has become an increasingly important consideration for players worldwide. While 24/7 customer support isn’t yet an outright deal-breaker, decent customer service during office hours at least is. Players have come to expect quick and convenient live-chat facilities, staffed by knowledgeable and helpful representatives. Some casinos continue to offer next to no customer support whatsoever, but won’t get away with it for much longer. This is one of several online casino gaming trends for 2020 that’s been building for some time. If you don’t provide your customers with the helpful support they expect, they’ll take their business elsewhere.
7. Faster Banking
We’ve reached a point in time where there’s really no excuse for complex or drawn-out online transactions. Irrespective of your preferred payment method, you should be able to deposit funds and action withdrawals as quickly as possible. More importantly, there’s no reason why you should ever be charged a commission or processing fee. Some casinos already offer instantaneous deposits and process withdrawals within the hour. By contrast, others keep customers waiting up to a week to access their cash. There are far too many shady banking practices going on right now, which customers are no longer willing to tolerate. Expect faster and better banking to be one of the most important online casino gaming trends over the next few years.
8. Broad Improvements to Quality
Last but not least, all online casino gaming trends are ultimately geared towards improved quality. When you compare today’s online casinos to those of five years ago, the difference is remarkable. The speed at which technology is evolving is impressive to say the least. As a result, players are becoming more discerning and demanding than ever before. From presentation to site performance to the overall user experience, everything is scrutinised in the finest detail. The days of amateur-hour online casinos has come and gone. Today, you either deliver a flawless experience, or you don’t stand a chance.
In a Nutshell…
Briefly summarised, 2020 looks set to continue the most important online casino gaming trends of the past couple of years. From mobile casino quality to live-dealer gaming to bonuses to banking, it’s shaping up to be an exciting year ahead for online gamers worldwide.