Fancy playing your favourite games? Chances are you’ll just whip out your phone and be able to play in a matter of seconds.
If you rewound ten years ago, that was unthinkable. Most people’s phones didn’t have the capacity for games as technology hadn’t caught up.
People who haven’t even experienced a game can play easily. This has truly opened the market and changed the face of the industry forever.
It’s not just that people can play their favorite games, but they have so much choice within those games. Different ways to play, different themes and now even live options.
It is estimated that 51% of the world’s population participates in gambling yearly. With those figures, it’s hardly surprising that the global market is expected to top $113 million by 2025.
A Short History of Online games
Humans have liked games of chance since the beginning of time. Ancient dice have been recovered, and people have created their betting games throughout the centuries.
In the 18th century, the primitive slot machine was invented, which was a huge leap forward. The Nimatron was launched at the World Fair in 1939, allowing people to play against a computer.
In the 1970s, betting progressed from being a leisure activity to a big industry. Games began popping up in big cities, and legislation was discussed at length.
Some important dates:
- The U.S. first legalized games in the state of Nevada in 1931
- In the UK, betting shops were made legal in 1961
Those who lived on remote islands or in places where gambling was illegal had no opportunity to play.
With the advent of widespread internet, and the eagerness of the game industry to use technology, the time was ripe.
First:
- Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade and Processing Act in 1994
- Suddenly companies who needed licenses for gambling online could get them
- By 1997, over 200 companies were offering gambling online
Browser games started gaining popularity, and game developers spotted the opportunities. Bricks and mortar establishments wondered how they could take their games online.
It wasn’t long until technology showed what was possible. Huge names entered the world of online games, and new operators began making a name for themselves too.
People wanted to play from the comfort of their own homes. It wasn’t so much about looking for a market but creating one.
Going Mobile
In 2008, mobile game platforms appeared online. Four years later, the mobile game exploded with Android and iPhone adding numerous apps to their stores.
You can access online games on your mobile phone has attracted more players. Now people who have never been exposed to games can play with the device in their hands.
There are several benefits to players with online games that they won’t get in land games. These include:
- Free games – often sites let you learn a game through free play
- Bonuses – particularly for deposits, sometimes up to 100%
- Rewards – you can build up points to get tips or sometimes are rewarded in-game
You can also:
- Gamble anywhere
As long as you have a connection, you can play. That means the bus, a camping trip and even on the beach.
- Gamble anytime
Since the games is in your hand and opens 24/7 – you can play when you like
- Access to thousands of games
Land games are huge and offer variety, but they can’t compete with the web.
- Stakes as low or as high as you like
Online games have fewer rules, which makes it easier for players, even if you want to play free.
What the Future Holds for Online Games
There’s no doubt that online games are here to stay and will only grow in popularity. This is shaping the industry as most new players have only joined online.
Technology is progressing rapidly, which now allows:
- Live games
- VR-based games
- AR (Alternative Reality) games
All of these appeal to different audiences. Those who preferred the action in land-based games have begun enjoying the social aspect of live games.
The market for virtual reality is huge. Players who love the idea of:
- Walking down the Las Vegas strip into one of the huge games
- Playing blackjack on the moon
AI allows for further personalization of online games, which works for operators and players. Being rewarded for playing what you like when you like feels good and keeps customers returning.
It doesn’t signal the end for land operators, as people will still visit their establishments. More people who have ventured into playing at online games may decide to visit.
Online games have also been at the forefront of accepting cryptocurrency as payment. Some online games deal solely in crypto, which we’ll see more of.
The online game has been the main driver of the gaming industry over the past five years. More of this is expected, with the market predicted to be worth hundreds of millions in the next decade.
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