Gambling has long since been a popular pastime. It is very rarely detrimentally affected by times of economic uncertainty or inflation. This is likely because people will always need a way to blow off steam, and the delicate balance between risk and reward that gambling offers makes it a great hobby. Over the years, the nature of gambling has advanced alongside technology. Read on to learn more.
The Internet
To kick off this list, of course, it is the internet. Realistically, almost all innovations today have stemmed from the internet in one way or another. Before the internet, gambling was only possible in brick-and-mortar casinos. Nowadays, you can play anywhere – as long as you have the data or a Wi-Fi connection. Online gambling is immensely popular simply because it offers players a lot more convenience. They can pay from the comfort of their own homes without having to venture out, which often saves them money too. There are a number of online casinos out there taking advantage of this, like Jackpot Casino, which operates out of South Africa and offers many different incentives to players too.
Live Games
In the last few years or so, online players have missed making human connections, and technology has finally advanced far enough to allow online casinos to offer live games. A live casino, in online gambling terms, is more of a merging of traditional casinos and the online element. Players can participate in live games led by a human dealer in real-time. Players can enable their cameras to connect with other players in the same game or simply watch the dealers. There is also often a live chat that allows you to interact with other players and the deal, too, again, all in real-time.
Cryptocurrency & Digital Wallets
Both of these things seem like relatively new innovations, but you’d be surprised to learn that they actually date back further than you might think. Digital wallets are necessary for cryptocurrencies and online gambling in order to keep money safe online, they store financial information, and they are designed to encrypt it, making it harder for hackers to access. Cryptocurrencies are only just hitting their stride, digital currencies are decentralised, and they only exist in the digital space. In recent years, online casinos have begun to accept cryptocurrencies which have allowed users more opportunities to use their digital currencies.
AR & VR
Augmented reality and virtual reality have also provided more opportunities for online gambling. Live casinos already provide more of an immersive experience, AR and VR are simply an extension of that. They help to provide a remote yet authentic experience for players. AR is designed to meld with the user’s environment, whereas VR creates a new one. They both rely on other pieces of technology in order to create the experience, for example, VR requires a VR headset, and therefore it isn’t totally accessible to all players.
What’s Next?
In terms of technology and online gambling, it is difficult to say where it could be headed next because it depends entirely on the tech itself. Online gambling, as it exists today, is really the culmination of a lot of different technological advancements. The internet and tech holds a lot of potential. It has been revolutionary for most industries, and it is almost certainly going to continue to be so.
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