News
The Biggest Upcoming Changes in the Online Gambling Industry
The online gambling industry has undergone some major changes in the last few years, but it seems like it’s been a while since we saw the introduction of any game-changing features. That could be set to change though, as there are some promising features on the horizon.
More Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are set to dominate the online gambling industry. Not only are they quicker, easier, and more accessible, but they don’t have any merchant fees, either.
This might not sound like a big deal considering they don’t typically charge you to deposit, but it could have a knock-on effect. It means sites will be able to offer bigger and better bonuses, such as the massive BetMGM casino bonus code or the many loyalty promotions available elsewhere.
It could also reduce the minimum deposit and withdrawal size.
Choose a Bet/Request-a-Bet Features
Live betting was a huge innovation for the sports betting industry but choose/request-a-bet features could be even better.
These features are already common throughout Europe and have been utilized effectively by many of the betting brands now operating in the US, including William Hill.
Simply put, these features allow you to request bets through email, contact forms, and social media. You can also use them to create your own in-game Parlay wagers. We’re not seeing these features in the US just yet, but that should change pretty soon.
More Immersion
Live Casino gaming is huge right now and its growth has been steady and certain for a number of years. It’s something that seems to attract most players and keeps them immersed, engaged, and happy.
As a result, it’s still growing and casinos are sinking huge sums of money into it. Live Casino gaming pits players against real dealers on real tables. They still play from the comfort of their own homes, but everything happens virtually.
Not only will we continue to see growth in this sector, but it may also incorporate virtual reality and/or augmented reality.
In other words, you could slip on a headset and enter a virtual casino. You can turn over cards with your hands, move chips around, and even engage with the dealers and other players. We have the technology to make this happen, it’s just a little clunky and requires heavy headsets.
The Online Takeover
Despite the prevalence of online casino and sportsbook gambling, the offline gambling industry is still much bigger. In fact, the difference is pretty immense, although it’s getting much smaller with each passing year.
Within the next decade or so, that should change. Many players are moving from offline casinos to online casinos. They prefer the convenience of playing at home or on their commute and as they tend to play more often and spend more freely, operators also prefer them.
That doesn’t mean that offline casinos will go away, but that they will become more online-focused, such as by giving players access to mobile casino apps as soon as they walk through the doors.
Affiliate Announcements
Registration opens as ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ unveiled as creative theme for Barcelona-bound iGB Affiliate
As registration opens for iGB Affiliate, ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ (New Horizons) has been unveiled as the creative theme driving the international marketing campaign in support of the 2025 edition which will be the first to take place at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona alongside sister show ICE.
Explaining the thinking behind the creative Naomi Barton, iGB Events’ Global Portfolio Director said: “The iGaming industry is continually evolving, and our 2025 campaign invites affiliates to explore new horizons at our exciting new venue, Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.
“iGB Affiliate is the home of the igaming affiliate community, and it enables connection, growth and shared business success for our audience of affiliates, operators and tech vendors. This campaign will drive our community into uncharted territory, sparking a spirit of exploration that embraces emerging markets, innovative strategies, and untapped commercial opportunities. It equips affiliates with the tools and insights needed to adapt, innovate, and conquer new horizons.”
She added: “With our move to Barcelona we’re setting our sights on an incredibly bright future. The additional space at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, which is among the largest exhibition venues in Europe, will enable iGB Affiliate to achieve its full potential and continue to connect the best affiliates with the best operators and tech vendors.
“The 2025 edition of the show is set to feature a record 250 exhibitors and sponsors, occupying 15,000 sqm of space. The enhanced facilities in Barcelona will empower the affiliate community to forge new igaming connections, build strategic and trusted partnerships, expand their networks, and explore uncharted territories.”
Casino Guru has won the SBC Awards 2024 in the “Casino Affiliate of the Year” category, which was contested by 12 shortlists and, which was ultimately won by the company.
Casino Guru is the biggest database of online casinos and online casino bonuses with up-to-date information on thousands of online casinos on the internet, providing human-reviewed insight into individual casinos and devising a complex Safety Index to help assess brands and help players make an informed choice.
The database has grown rapidly, with Casino Guru upholding its “Casino Affiliate of the Year” status by consistently updating its repository with accurate, human-verified data. The accolade was awarded based on key performance indicators, including a more than 100% increase in organic traffic and a noticeable expansion in referring domains over the observed period.
Casino Guru’s Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling Šimon Vincze, had this to add: “Winning a major award for best casino affiliate is an excellent achievement for us because, as a private company, we do not disclose every commercial detail in the nomination. Instead, we focus on unique achievements and use publicly available information, which puts us at a disadvantage against publicly listed companies. Despite such strong competition, we still managed to convince the judges this year.”
Casino Guru has so far processed more than 6,930 casinos and it currently is the world’s largest gambling casino forum, proving an invaluable source of information for players of all backgrounds. The Casino Guru Forum now numbers 200,000 users and has generated 53,000 posts in the 12 months leading up to the company’s submission for SBC Awards 2024.
In the observed period, the brand has similarly handled 13,514 disputes, compared to 10,708 from the previous period and recovered $10,121,109 in player funds. Casino Guru established 310 new partnerships over the same period.
The accolade comes after Casino Guru added 1,201 new casino brands in the period leading up to the company’s submission alone, with 3,750 casinos reviewed over the extended period, the result of a dedicated joint effort by the company’s team of experts.
The company has used big data, consumer feedback, and a fastidious in-house team of analysts to ensure that it remains at the very forefront of the sector, winning it the important SBC Awards accolade in the “Casino Affiliate of the Year,” and further consolidate its status as an indispensable industry source for matching players with the best casino websites.
This is hardly the first distinction won by Casino Guru this year, or the first time Casino Guru’s efforts have been rewarded at an industry summit.
Casino Guru similarly secured the Vixio Global Regulatory Awards distinction in the “Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling” category, demonstrating that as an affiliate company, Casino Guru remains multi-faceted, and fully committed to bringing the safest and most reliable information to its players.
Quality Mark Responsible Affiliates (QMRA), the certification initiative for iGaming affiliate websites, is proud to announce the launch of individualized online certificates for its members. This new initiative is set to enhance transparency and trust among consumers, operators, and regulatory authorities by providing dedicated landing pages that validate each affiliate’s commitment to responsible and compliant practices.
Previously, QMRA members linked to a general certificate page. Now, each affiliate has its own specific online certificate, featuring a detailed overview of its compliance with the QMRA Code. This includes adherence to strict standards in responsible advertising, channelling objectives, and the promotion of responsible gambling. This change not only benefits stakeholders by showcasing the integrity and reliability of each certified website but also offers SEO advantages, as the certificates are uniquely tailored to the affiliate’s site.
Quote by Steven Vrolijk, LL.M., QMRA Director: “Our goal is to create a safer and more transparent iGaming environment. These online certificates reflect our members’ dedication to responsible gambling and compliance. This initiative will help consumers make informed choices and enhance the credibility of our affiliates in the eyes of operators and regulators.”
From now on, all new QMRA members will receive a dedicated certificate page upon certification. Existing members have been notified to update their footer links to their new, personalized certificate pages, which are accessible via the QMRA member overview page.
Registration opens as ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ unveiled as creative theme for Barcelona-bound iGB Affiliate
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Casino Guru takes the top distinction in SBC Awards 2024
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QMRA Online Certificates launched to boost transparency and trust in the iGaming Industry
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