Online casinos have exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming the most accessible way for players to enjoy their favourite games without needing to travel to a brick-and-mortar establishment. They make it much easier for players to play games, as they can be enjoyed using only a computer, mobile phone or tablet, making them incredibly easy to engage with.
This surge in popularity has been facilitated by the huge steps that have been made when it comes to improving the technology used by online casinos, including online payments, digital identity verification, and the development of realistic games that are enjoyable to play. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about online casinos from their origins and future to the types of games available and how players can stay safe.
The evolution of online casinos
The first online casinos opened in the 1990s and were incredibly basic in style and substance. These casinos were only able to be developed once the technology was ready, and with computing still in its infancy during this time, it was simply a case of waiting for the stars to align. Online payment methods and data security were still very new to the digital realm, resulting in many being skeptical at first.
As the years rolled by, the online platforms many people started using became more sophisticated and intuitive, better replicating the real-world casino experience. With live dealer games and real-time chat functions becoming part of many online casino apps, the entire online casino experience is now much more realistic, and that’s without mentioning the increasingly common integration of AR and VR into metaverse casino environments.
Popular casino games you can play online
Online slots
Online slot games are incredibly popular because they’re easy to play and have incredibly varied themes, so there’s sure to be one to suit every type of player, including some based on famous films.
Players can unlock free spins on popular online slot games by visiting johnslots.com/en/free-spins/ and choosing an online casino that appeals to them, although there’s plenty to explore!
Table games
Table games are incredibly popular in real-world casinos, which explains why they’re also loved online players. There are both digital and live options to choose from, giving players plenty of choice.
Live dealer games
Live dealer games are another great option and are becoming much more realistic as they have real dealers that are visible via video and have chat functions to allow player interaction.
Specialty games
Many online casinos also allow special games to be played, although this will vary from one location to the next. If you find yourself buying scratch cards in real life, you’ll be glad to see them available online.
The rise of mobile casinos
Consumers are increasingly demanding mobile-first digital experiences as this is where we spend much of our time. Across the world, over 60% of global search traffic comes from mobile devices, and this number is only expected to increase as mobile phones become more powerful.
The primary appeal of mobile gameplay is that it’s convenient and easy to do, meaning that players won’t have much difficulty getting used to the controls or finding the required buttons. These mobile-first gaming experiences are incredibly easy and intuitive, allowing players to enjoy a wide variety of betting options, including real-time sports and slots.
Many mobile phones now come with support for e-wallets that make it easy for players to deposit funds using just their fingerprint or face scan. As these e-wallets are authenticated using either the player’s face or finger, they allow for faster payments than when using a bank transfer, improving the online gaming experience and increasing satisfaction.
Payment methods for online casinos
There are several different ways for players to deposit funds into their online casino accounts, which also has an impact on how players can withdraw any potential winnings. Besides e-wallets, there are many other options, including card payments, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies.
Card payments, using either a debit or credit card and bank transfers are generally seen as being the safest forms of payment as traditional banks are bound by strict industry regulations. They are required to protect consumers and have processes in place to ensure that they minimise the potential for abuse and fraud, including payment chargebacks.
While card payments and bank transfers might be safer, they’re not the quickest, which is why some players prefer using cryptocurrencies to play online. These coins are entirely unregulated but have their transactions stored on a digital ledger, called a blockchain, meaning they’re very transparent. They aren’t widely accepted yet, but it looks like they will be soon.
Safe and responsible gambling in online casinos
When it comes to choosing an online casino, check to see if the casino holds a license and where it’s registered because this will impact what regulations it’s bound by. Players should also choose a casino that has integrated tools to encourage responsible gambling, including deposit limits, self-exclusion and reality checks, as this will indicate how seriously they take their consumer care obligations.
We always recommend checking reviews online as casinos can look very similar in design, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re using a legitimate site and not an imitation. Check online reviews and only follow links from more trusted sources, such as industry media and affiliate sites.
The future of online casinos
It’s hard to say with absolute certainty what the future holds for the online gaming industry, but we expect technology to become far more integrated, including blockchain-type ledgers to track all transactions, and more AI recommendations, which we have become more common on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and Netflix.
We also think that VR headsets will continue to increase in popularity among players. More online casinos will optimise their casino experiences for those wanting to play in the metaverse, resulting in the creation of explorable virtual spaces that look and feel like real casinos, but are only accessible using VR headsets.
Conclusion
Online casinos are incredibly varied and what you find in one, you may not see in another. However, the same types of games are usually available, so players can easily go from one to the next to find the one that best suits their preferences and needs. Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and safely and ensure that they fully understand the games they’re playing before committing financially.
