Gambling has been a favorite pastime for thousands of years thanks to the euphoria it can bring when you are winning and the adrenaline rush those betting get when they are at risk. Thanks to the advancement of technology, we have gone from placing bets by throwing stones and sticks to using touchscreens at kiosks in state-of-the-art casinos. Let’s take a look at how technology is changing gambling today.
Online Gambling
Over 20 years ago, online gambling first allowed gamblers to play their favorite casino games without having to battle the crowds and cigarette smoke. Poker and Bingo were the original games to hit the internet and become available to players any time of the day, for fun or for real money. Today, virtually every game is available in high-class casino style experiences that range from free or very low stakes to high rollers who have won millions — all from the comfort of their home.
Mobile Gambling
First came online gaming, then came mobile gaming. Smartphones have forever changed the gambling industry. In fact, with the increase of mobile phone users has also come an 85+ percent increase in mobile gaming. Today you can find an awesome number of gambling apps on your Android or iPhone devices. Users love the convenience mobile gaming provides and experts say that mobile gaming will make up 40 percent of the online casino market. Being able to play your favorite poker game on your phone or place a bet on a football game has catapulted this method of gambling. As phones get more enhanced features such as virtual reality and 3D capabilities, expect to see even greater engagement from gambling fans.
In-Person Casinos
Technology hasn’t just effected the online gambling market – casinos are some of the most technologically advanced places you’ll ever visit. Sometimes there is nothing better than the sights and sounds of gambling at a casino and playing at a table with human card dealers. With the competition of online options, casinos have stepped up their game to stay current with advancements. Not only are the slot machines and money all automated and managed by computer systems, security has changed greatly. The technological innovations mean there are more ways to potentially cheat, which is why casinos have invested in state of the art surveillance systems that even include facial recognition software and license plate readers to stop cheaters cold in their tracks and then share their identity with other casinos.
Mobile apps and online gambling options, along with brick and mortar casino advancements, have kept the gambling industry on the cutting edge of the digital age. Thanks to technological advancements you can practice poker in your pajamas before you head to work or use a touchscreen at a casino to place your next bet. Statistics show that the mobile gambling industry will be worth $100 billion by the end of this year – it will be interesting to see where technology takes us next.
