While the world of online casino is a thriving industry, it’s certainly not an isolated one. Gaming companies have been around for ages and now many are adapting to the digital space.
It is no secret that the gaming industry has changed quite drastically over the last several decades. We’ve seen some major shifts in how people play games, but also in how they interact with them. In fact, these changes are so drastic that most people would be hard pressed to recognize the origins of video game consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) or Sega Genesis, much less the original arcade machines.
The first video game consoles were incredibly basic compared to today’s gaming devices. They had no screens, no controllers, and no fancy graphics. Instead, they used light guns that resembled early versions of modern gun controllers, while others simply used joysticks attached to light beams. These primitive devices were difficult to operate at times, but they did allow users to play simple arcade-style games such as Space Invaders.
By the time Super Mario Bros. debuted on the NES console in 1985, the landscape of gaming was changing dramatically. As it turns out, this change wasn’t just limited to the video game industry. The entire gaming industry had been undergoing significant changes since its inception.
One thing that hasn’t changed very much through all these years is the way that gamers interact with their favorite titles. It’s still common practice to buy new games and play them until you get tired of the experience, then move onto something else. But how can we say that this has remained constant throughout the years?
A History Of Video Games
If you ever find yourself wondering why games seem so different from each other, there’s a good chance that the answer lies within their history. From the beginning, each title was designed to offer a unique experience. While most games of today are similar to the ones we played 20 years ago, each title has its own story to tell.
Take the original Pong for example. This game was released in 1972 by Atari, Inc. It featured two paddles that moved across a screen. A player could use either paddle to hit a ball, which caused it to bounce off the bottom of the screen. If the player successfully bounced the ball into the upper half of the screen, it could be scored.
But, what made Pong so revolutionary was its simplicity. The game didn’t require any special equipment, and players could play it anywhere. It was the first game that allowed players to take control of their entertainment without having to worry about physical limitations. This paved the way for future generations to enjoy gaming experiences that weren’t confined to specific locations.
With all of the advances in technology, it’s easy to forget how far gaming has come. Nowadays, the average person owns multiple gaming systems, including smartphones, tablets, and even smart TVs. There’s practically nothing that the average gamer cannot do with their device. But, as we’ll see in a moment, things may soon change. How? By looking at how online casinos came along.
Online Casinos
The rise of online casinos dates back to 1997 when the company known as Playtech opened up shop. Shortly after, the company expanded into the United States and set up another branch in London.
Playtech quickly became a powerhouse in the industry thanks to its innovative software. The company developed proprietary software that allowed developers to create customized games for online casinos. This helped companies save money by creating specialized games instead of having to develop separate titles for different platforms.
As a result, Playtech enjoyed a large following among both amateur and professional gamblers alike. Their popularity grew exponentially once they released their first real-money online slots machines in 2000.
Since then, Playtech has become one of the largest gaming providers in the world. Today, they boast more than 2,600 employees who design and build games for hundreds of online casinos around the globe.
Online Casino & Gaming Industry
Now, let us look at how these two markets intersected. When online casinos started gaining popularity, the industry was dominated by brick-and-mortar establishments. However, as more people began playing online, the market shifted towards a digital environment.
This shift resulted in a new type of casino. The old-school casinos were often run by brick-and-mortar shops or by individuals, while the new breed of online casinos could be operated by anyone with access to the internet.
The same goes for gaming companies. Most brick-and-mortar casinos were owned by private corporations, while the owners of online casinos are typically startups that operate independently. However, as the industry continues to expand, some larger companies have begun buying up smaller companies in order to gain further insight into the gaming market.
Today, the gaming industry is divided into three distinct categories: online casinos, brick-and-mortar casinos, and social gaming.
With so many players flocking to online casinos, it should come as no surprise that the industry is worth billions of dollars today. According to Statista, in 2017, revenues from the global gambling industry reached $895 billion, representing an increase of 14% over 2016.
That being said, online casinos continue to grow in popularity, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. With the increasing number of mobile apps available, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore online casinos. Not only can players earn rewards and bonuses, but they can also play for free!
However, despite the popularity of online casinos, brick-and-mortar casinos remain popular as well. In fact, according to the latest statistics, brick-and-mortar casinos saw a 7% increase in revenue between 2016 and 2017. This growth is largely attributed to the rising number of tourists visiting Las Vegas every year.
But, are online casinos here to stay?
As we mentioned earlier, the gaming industry has undergone lots of changes over the years. While many of these changes were positive, others were not.
For instance, while many countries embraced online casinos, others opposed them because they felt that they would encourage gambling addiction. Others argued that online casinos take away jobs from brick-and-mortar casinos, causing economic harm to local communities. Still others criticized online casinos for allowing high rollers to gamble excessively.
Despite the controversy surrounding online casinos, many experts agree that the industry will continue to thrive. After all, as long as players have to pay for the privilege of playing, the industry will never go out of business. So, whether you prefer to visit a brick-and-mortar casino or log on to your favorite online casino, you may be pleasantly surprised by the variety of titles that are available.
My name is Kenneth E. Brock. I am the author of this blog. I love to write blog posts around casinos and I love to provide reviews of new and old casinos to my readers. I’m an ardent casino player and love to stay updated with all the new casinos that are opened. I also love to write about all the casino bonuses and promotions that are launched by various casinos.
