Online slots remain to be one of the most popular online gambling verticals on the planet. The sector has been improving every single year thanks in large part to how open operators are to embracing innovation and new technologies. Among the biggest improvements that have come to online slots is the adoption of crypto and blockchain. These have pushed the gaming experience to amazing heights while continuing to expand the possibilities of even more improvements.
As we kick off a new year, we expect the online slots sector to continue on its path of stable growth and development. Demand for high-quality games is at an all-time high and this is not likely to slow down anytime soon. That said, we are very excited to see how developers and various iGaming operators will approach the market over the course of the year.
Thankfully, we do not have to speculate too much. There are a few things that we are likely to see in the online slots sector in 2022. They include:
Next-Gen Graphics
Display technology has certainly come a long way. Whether you are using your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, there have been vast improvements in the display quality. High refresh rate screens that support high dynamic range (HDR) are now very common. The same applies to displays that support 4K and 8K formats.
Now, not many applications have taken full advantage of these capabilities, at least not yet. Given their fast-paced and interactive nature, online slots are the first to come to mind when we think about how iGaming can leverage these impressive display technologies. In 2022, we can expect to see smoother online slot games with even crisper and more colorful graphics. All you need is a modern device which many people already own.
Next-Level Immersion
The first way we can think of the next generation of immersive online slots is with the rapid rise of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. These will allow players to experience the games in a new way. Bridging the gap between the land-based casino experience and online gaming is still a challenge but with these, that dream is a step closer to being achieved.
Another way of achieving next-level immersion that will likely be very prominent in 2022 is live gaming. This is already possible with other types of casino games thanks to the existence of high-speed networks and high-definition streaming technologies. It will be interesting to see how studios go about bringing the same amazing live experiences to slots enthusiasts.
Other notable mentions in this regard include the integration of AI into various online gaming platforms. This will come with a ton of benefits including fraud detection and player protection. We also look forward to seeing more regulatory push as part of the efforts to make online gambling safer for everyone. The popularity of online slots makes it a key area of focus for this.