The global penetration of the internet has helped create new economic opportunities the world over, as well as giving rise to new industries. It’s also disrupted markets and forced businesses to adapt, either to survive or to take the opportunities presented.
In this article, we will discuss one of the industries that capitalised on the opportunity in a big way, and which is now recognised as one of the most lucrative online sectors. That sector is online casino gaming through sites such as black lotus.
Modest beginnings
When the internet arrived in UK households, industries gradually started to experiment with the possibilities of operating online. But the technology was still new – both to developers and customers – while many were hesitant about cannibalising their product.
For many major bookmakers and casino operators, the model of land-based premises and dedicated phone lines was well established and delivering results. It was seen by some as a risk and so the spread of the industry online wasn’t immediate or rapid.
Slowly but surely, leading brands began to make investments in an online presence and, for the first time, were able to offer modest digital versions of their popular table games and provide the functionality to bet on sporting events.
Faster speeds, more possibilities
The advent of broadband connections, more powerful processers and better equipped browsers facilitated further growth. In fact, the battle between browser developers around the turn of the century was great for the industry as it promoted innovation and faster technological progress.
The better tech meant developers could work on more ambitious titles, with better graphics, smoother gameplay and an all round more immersive experience. Around this time, advanced consoles like the Playstation 2 were on the market, so it was crucial that the industry kept up with rising expectations in gameplay.
Competitive play between friends was also possible through the platforms, while live chat rooms were able to pair total strangers together to compete in games like poker. This represented the next evolution for the industry, but the biggest change was still to come.
Going mobile
The launch of the first iPhone in 2007 was a milestone moment for the mobile phone industry, while the smartphone boom had wider implications for just about any brand with operations online.
The rise in the number of Brits being able to access the internet from devices in the palm of their hands forced online businesses to adapt and produce websites optimised for the smaller screen.
This posed challenges for the online gambling industry, but these have been outweighed by the lucrative opportunities presented in the following years. Industry developers set about creating versions of online favourites like blackjack and roulette, alongside more casual games like bingo and slots. To learn more about this, and how gaming on your mobile has become an increasingly loved hobby, people can visit websites such as financereference.com to understand this better.
And such was the rise in demand that platforms were established as a means of allowing consumers to compare the options available. Websites like BonusFinder UK aggregate many of the leading providers, with the vast majority of the games offered being suitable for mobile play.
All of that evolution adds up to an industry that topped a value of $5bn by the time 2019 approached, with worldwide growth perhaps even more exciting. And as technology continues to march forward, both in our hands and on screens at our desks, it’s likely that the online gambling sector will be tagging along for the ride.
