With 2023 stretching out before us, there has never been a better time to speculate on the future of the online gambling sector. We have researched a wide range of predictions and wishful thinking by industry experts and formulated a list of what we believe is achievable in the next twelve months.

 Keeping Pace with New Technology

Slotegrator Business Development Manager Ayvar Gabidullin once said:

Quote

"The digitalisation of the gambling industry opens up new opportunities to improve the industry. The way things are developing dynamically today shows that the future of the gambling industry will definitely be high-tech and impressive."

The industry and technology have come so far even since this statement that we felt it was best to focus primarily on predictions that leaned into recent developments in AI technology, the Metaverse, the blockchain, and new gambling innovations.

To round out our wishlist, we included existing customer behaviour by investigating how to expand mobile use cases and recent industry movements in regulation.

 Dream Another Dream for Us

With that hopeful perspective in mind, we have donned our futurist hats and highlighted our seven most hoped-for and fanciful predictions for the new year:

1. AI-Driven Live Dealer Experiences

With the recent advancements in deep-fake technology and stories of celebrities like Bruce Willis selling their likenesses to major studios, it will be possible to have more stars manning live and RNG casinos. Not only can they appear as croupiers at specific tables, but the combination of these technologies will allow them to be casino hosts, walk customers through deposit and withdrawal processes and even provide tech tips in the customer support environment.

2. Metaverse Gambling Hubs

The development of the Metaverse costs big tech companies billions of Euros annually. We foresee that combining an expanded roster of regulated gambling jurisdictions with the need to attract high-value enterprises will result in the Metaverse approving licensed gambling hubs. While it is highly likely that these hubs will be unique experiences, it would be exciting to visit virtual gambling destinations like Macau, Monaco, or Las Vegas from the comfort of your home VR centre.

3. Increased Regulatory Markets

With the announcement that Finland plans to set aside its decades-long monopoly in favour of a multi-license open market and the questions surrounding whether Dubai will allow online gambling, the market is expecting a flood of newly opened regions in 2023. Every step towards a more regulated marketplace will allow further development on the blockchain and the Metaverse.

4. Enhanced Crypto Crash Games

Crash games have proven to be a breakout success with crypto-first gamblers and fiat currency players. What we found highly entertaining was how the developers could theme the games for the FIFA World Cup and then again for the Christmas season. We look forward to further innovation as developers add bonus features, side bets and more themes throughout the new year.

5. Mainstream Licensing of crypto casinos

While regulatory authorities like the UK Gaming Commission license many casino software developers, these same regulators have been dragging their feet in licensing online casinos. With the Malta Gaming Authority beginning to approve white-label license holders as crypto deposit providers, it can only be a matter before other leading regulators license crypto casinos fully.

6. Increased Gambling Site Diversification

Historically there has been a divide between betting sites and online casinos. Recent multi-platform providers have broken down these barriers allowing gambling operators to effortlessly acquire and support casino games, betting on sports and other events, poker games, bingo and more. As providers shift towards the blockchain and the Metaverse, we foresee many online casinos using the opportunity to expand into other gambling markets simultaneously.

7. New Types of Casino Games

Last year we saw the Real Dealer Studios launch cinematic dealer games, which bridged the gap between RNG gameplay and real-life hosts. Aviatrix released their Crash game that allowed players and casinos to personalise NFT aircraft, which can be used to play the game and will be sellable in the future. Looking ahead to what could be achieved by combining the strengths of the blockchain and metaverse innovation with casino gaming, we are hopeful that the industry will see a number of new and unique gambling concepts.